Organizing and running the 2023 World Para Hockey Championships was a “Herculean” task involving hundreds of staff and volunteers whose efforts ensured the event was a success, the Events Centre GM says.
“A special callout to the volunteers and their commitment for the event. And really, from the bottom of my heart, (thank you to) my team at the Events Centre,” Ryan MacIvor said emotionally during the July 24 regular city council meeting while giving a final report about the tournament.
“It’s pretty spectacular when you understand what we did (including employees’) tireless work to ensure the venue was open and welcoming. They really are the unsung heroes and the MVPs from my point of view.”
This was the first time this tournament was hosted in Canada, Saskatchewan, or Moose Jaw, while it was also a “Herculean effort” to undertake, he continued. Organizers had only 120 days to start preparing after Hockey Canada awarded the community the event and 70 days after the official public announcement.
“It was no small feat,” MacIvor remarked.
Statistics indicate there were more than 15,000 spectators; 275 athletes, officials, delegates and support staff; more than 2,500 hotel room nights booked; 10,040 meals served; 20 events over 10 days; and five days to install para hockey infrastructure.
The tournament will leave a legacy at the Events Centre and in the region, MacIvor said.
The venue now has a para hockey conversion kit, change rooms have accessible shower heads and chairs, there are new time clocks in dressing rooms and most internal electrical components have been upgraded.
Meanwhile, Team Canada held an open public practice and a meet-and-greet with the Regina Avengers para hockey team while its first female player met with another Regina team; Hockey Saskatchewan had para stakeholder meetings; the World Para Ice Hockey organization held women’s development meetings; and many athletes used the city’s accessible transit.
“We haven’t really hosted a big event since the Scotties back in 2020, and so growing that volunteer infrastructure, we sort of set the stage that we now have this big international event where we continue … to build upon (that volunteer base),” said MacIvor, noting more than 135 volunteers contributed over 10,000 hours.
The organizing committee developed partnerships with Prairie South School Division and a school in Regina since it was “imperative” to engage with youths, he continued. Players from Team Canada travelled to four schools in Moose Jaw — six in total participated — to speak with students, while more than 1,450 students attended three morning games.
The event was also an exercise in “nation building” since the Snowbirds participated in presenting player of the game awards, attended games and received recognition, welcomed Team Canada to its dressing room and delivered and announced the starting lineup. The aerobatic team also performed a flyover.
The championship had so much coverage locally, nationally and internationally that it generated “incredible footage and stories” across the world, said MacIvor.
The data shows more than two million people viewed tournament videos, more than 58,000 viewed the YouTube live stream and over 900,000 watched on other platforms. Furthermore, there were 94,200 online engagements, more than nine million impressions and 617 posts.
“To think that Saskatchewan … (and) Moose Jaw made it to the Para Olympic Games’ Facebook page (is awesome),” MacIvor said. “That is one of just many, many, many news stories and articles that went around the world.”
The City of Moose Jaw was “spectacular” in its commitment to the tournament, the event was incredible, and it was humbling to see the athletes perform at a high level, he continued.
To thank council for its support, MacIvor presented an artwork of a thunderbird that an Aboriginal artist had made for the tournament, noting the creation embodied how everyone pulled together.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Aug. 14.
