Memorial Cup Bid – Engaged

The organization believes they are in a better position on the ice than they were four years ago.

“In 2020, we had to do a lot of shopping to get the team built, which affected us after the event was canceled,” Hamilton added. “This time we are ready to go, and we aren’t going to have to shop around to make our team better. From a hockey perspective, we are going to have a very exciting team not only this year but next year. That excites me from the hockey side of it.”

The Rockets hosted one of the most successful events in 2004, winning the Memorial Cup with big crowds in a facility that no longer meets the standards of the Canadian Hockey League. That is where the City of Kelowna will step up to the plate by making a financial commitment to a building that they will take over ownership of in 2029.

“We will put aside 3.7 million dollars for the upgrades for Prospera Place,” Dyas said. “Any improvements we make at this point and time will be legacy improvements, and they will go on in perpetuity exist with the property into the future. So yes, there is an expense associated with it at this time in doing some of those upgrades, but there are abilities in the future to look at what are the ability to recover some of the costs with the events we have here, what is the economic impact to our community. It is an investment in the facility, but it is also an investment in our community and future events coming to this community.”

The arena will need several upgrades to meet the standards needed to host an event which features the champions from the WHL, the Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec/Maritimes Junior Hockey League. The list is a long one.

“The scoreboard, ring lighting, audio system, a permanent media facility, and Zamboni’s,” Dyas outlined a number of things that need to be added or replaced. The scoreboard, which is original to the building is so old, if anything went wrong with it, parts would be hard to find to repair it. “We will get more feedback from the CHL on what the other requirements are to meet the standards of the bid. There are also dressing rooms to be structured accordingly. We are not standing in front of the owners of the Western Hockey League this time, the bid process is done through the CHL.”

Hamilton says the winning bid will be announced December 14th.

“The opportunity to bring this event to this city, and the financial reward that it brings (estimated 15 million dollar economic impact) with 10-days of hotels being full and this building being packed again like we saw the last time.”

The Medicine Hat Tigers are also interested in bidding, backed by forward Gavin McKenna, who is projected to be a top pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

“We have learned a lot since 2020,” Hamilton admitted. “We will incorporate a few more people into the management side of just the event. We have a good foundation of people set for that already.

“When we were bidding for 2020, we had a lot of people committed. It is a big undertaking, but in this city we have a great group of volunteers.”

When asked which of the 21 other WHL teams will stand in his way of hosting the tournament, Hamilton answered it in this way.

“I think there will be some interest that I think when our bid is made public, some people may step away, he said. “I am not saying that in arrogance, but I think a lot of people think we deserve to have this opportunity again because of 2020.

“It isn’t a given. You have to earn it.”

by Regan Bartel

Memorial Cup Bid – Engaged

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