Request for Decision

TO: Mayor and Council FROM: Nancie Huneault, Events Coordinator, Community & People Brenda Hewko, CFO, City Governance DATE: February 4, 2020 RE: Pinty’s Grand Slam of

REPORT SUMMARY (Detail Background, Comparable Projects, and Outcomes):

The City of has been presented with an event hosting opportunity to partner with Pinty’s Grand Sale of Curling (GSOC) which is owned by /Rogers Media Inc. This is a six-event series running from October to April that involves the top 15 men and 15 women in a round robin style format. The event is the third event in this series and is to be held in mid-December 2020.

The GSOC events feature the best international teams based on curling rankings. This televised event would draw large audiences for Chestermere, both in person and on screen.

The City would also partner with the Chestermere Regional Community Association (CRCA) and Chestermere Curling Association (CCA). By hosting this event in the City, we anticipate a number of visitors to our community that will increase exposure for Chestermere, increase spending at local businesses, and create revenues from sales and advertising.

The GSOC event is scheduled to occur a few weeks ahead of the Tim Hortons Western Pond Hockey Tournament and these two events give the City a significant amount of media attention that is local, provincial and national coverage. This attention builds a “buzz” which then creates interest in the City that further supports the development and growth of our new Communities.

BENEFITS:

The benefits include the City’s support of CRCA, CCA and the growth and development of our new Communities.

Sportsnet/Rogers Media Inc have provided the following list of benefits for host communities:

Chestermere’s Strategic Vision Amazing Quality of Life · Amazing Partnerships · Amazing Relationships · Amazing Opportunities · Amazing Neighbourhoods Request for Decision Re: Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Date: February 4, 2020

 Sportsnet provides a minimum of 27 hours of national broadcast time;  National exposure to live and television audiences of approximately 2 million viewers;  Sportsnet is committed to an exceptional 360° full-week event experience for Chestermere exposure;  Revenue share opportunities from the ticket sales, concession sales, and the Grand Slam Social House;  Supporting the growth of the sport of curling in our community;  Incredible branding opportunities available at the venue;  Great exposure for host communities and local sponsors;  Projected average economic impact for each host community at approximately $2 million (including hotels); and  Association with a top-tier sporting event

DISADVANTAGES:

To host the event would impact local programming and residential usage of CRCA facility for 9 consecutive days during a high usage period.

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Projected Revenue/Expenditure, Funding Source/Account):

GSOC event provides revenue opportunities and expense obligations. Listed below are a sampling of these activities:

Revenue Expenses Expenses Expenses Tickets Hosting Fee Event Planner Social Media Sponsorship Bleachers Internet Event Planner Food & Beverage Local Promotion Security Staffing Support 50/50 Draw Creative Cleaning Banking Fees Grants & Tourism R&M for Media/Stats, Food & Beverage Tables, Chairs, Funding Production, VIP Suites supplies Linens

This event provides opportunity to support the CRCA, either through a facility rental fee or a revenue sharing/services delivered type of arrangement. In addition, it provides the opportunity to support the CCA as they would receive a portion of the sale of the 50/50 draw and net income from the beer garden.

Using the best available information, at this time, would indicate an overall net expenses in excess of revenue of approximately $150,000. These are preliminary numbers as a variety of activities have not been fully scoped.

Page 2 of 3 Request for Decision Re: Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Date: February 4, 2020 Administration is recommending that the net excess of expenses of $150,000 be drawn from the Council Priority Stabilization Restricted Surplus Account.

PUBLIC NOTICE/COMMUNICATIONS:

If Council approves pursuing this hosting opportunity, public communications and promotion would begin immediately and the support of the Sportsnet marketing team would be leveraged where possible.

RELATED COUNCIL POLICIES/BYLAWS & STRATEGIC VISION:

 Amazing Quality of Life – Create opportunities for connecting  Amazing Opportunities – Develop Chestermere’s recreation potential  Amazing Partnerships – Initiate collaborative partnerships PREVIOUS REPORTS/COUNCIL DECISIONS (if any):

 N/A ATTACHMENTS (including all In Camera items):

 Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Host Package, 15 pages  CRCA Letter of Support, 1 page

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS (if any):

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

That Council direct the Mayor and CAO to execute the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling License Agreement with Rogers Media Inc. for the purpose of hosting, in collaboration with Chestermere Regional Community Association and the Chestermere Curling Association, to be held in December 2020.

Approved by: Approved by: Tracey Radloff Bernie Morton Director, Community & People Chief Administrative Officer

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