Hosting Grey Cup in Winnipeg hailed as 'a major economic driver' by businesses, politicians

Members of Canada’s Armed Forces rapelled from a helicopter Sunday afternoon at The Forks with precious cargo — the Grey Cup.

The day helped mark the beginning of Grey Cup week, which is also known to many as the CFL’s biggest party of the year, and will culminate with the league’s championship game on Nov. 16 at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.

“It’s just a big celebration, it’s a big party,” said Kristin Orvis, who was at Sunday’s event and is going to the Grey Cup game.

“All the festivities [and] just seeing everyone come in from across Canada, it’s a good time.” 

Thousands of fans will pack Winnipeg’s Princess Auto Stadium for the big game, which was announced as a sellout last week. There are also events happening in the city’s downtown area as part of the Grey Cup Festival, which has free and ticketed offerings for people to take part in.

A provincial spokesperson said on Friday it’s estimated that the big game and additional festivities will result in "a more than $90-million boost in economic activities, including $8.2 million in provincial tax revenues. "

“Hosting the Grey Cup in Winnipeg and festival in Winnipeg isn’t just a celebration, it’s a major economic driver,” said Nellie Kennedy, the province’s minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism during a news conference Sunday.

“This event boosts local businesses, attracts visitors and puts Manitoba in the national spotlight.” 

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham echoed the minister’s thoughts and said businesses stand to make big gains during the week. 

“It’s great for our restaurants, it’s great for our shops where people will come and buy some local products,” he said. 

At Devil May Care on Fort Street — about a 10 minute walk from the RBC Convention Centre which has been dubbed “Grey Cup HQ" — general manager and owner Colin Koop hopes they’ll be able to cash in on the excitement. 

Koop said the local brewery and tap room sometimes sees a “quiet period” in the fall, but is looking forward to the event driving large amounts of people to downtown Winnipeg. 

“We’re a bit of an unknown quantity out there, one of these smallest breweries certainly … in the city and in the province” he said. “Any opportunity to show people what we do well is definitely something I look forward to.” 

About 50 per cent of patrons are usually tourists, but with swaths of people expected to visit Winnipeg from around Canada, Koop said he hopes that number will double.