Study: WinSport has multimillion-dollar impact on Calgary economy

As talks continue on Calgary possibly hosting the 2026 Olympics, a new report highlights the continued benefits from the 1988 Games.

A study conducted by the City of Calgary found WinSport contributes $120 million to the local economy every year.

According to officials, the review began before the launch of the group studying the feasibility of our city hosting the sporting event in 2026.

“Certainly, as things evolved, including the bid exploration committee and the study that they’re doing, it became a useful piece of information,” WinSport President and CEO Barry Heck said. “WinSport is not part of the bid exploration committee, but we certainly support it.

“The [WinSport] study can be used now as evidence of the fact that of the significant benefit the 1988 Olympics brought to our city, as demonstrated on the current impact that WinSport has.”

Among the study highlights of the direct and indirect economic impacts are $62.4 million in wages, salaries and benefits and $5.1 million in athlete financial support.

“The legacy of the 1988 Olympics lives in WinSport and it’s great to have this report to show the financial impact that the Games continue to have on the city,” chair of the WinSport board Scott Hutcheson added.

“For years, we have seen the benefits that WinSport has provided to the community. Coupled with this analysis, it’s clear that hosting an Olympic Games can have a significant positive economic impact on the city and reinforces why WinSport fully supports the City of Calgary bidding for the 2026 Winter Olympics and why we should bring the Games back to our city.”

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