ESTEVAN - The 2022 Centennial Cup committee is looking at ways they can increase community participation and spirit during the national junior A hockey championship, presented by Tim Hortons, set for May 19-29 in Estevan.
Josh LeBlanc has struck a committee that will be in close contact with businesses over the next few weeks to ensure they can see business participate, and receive the most economic benefits they can throughout the tournament.
“This is an amazing opportunity for us to showcase Estevan once again on a national stage, and our committee is hard at work coming up with ideas that will encourage visitors to explore our retail, food and service establishments,” said LeBlanc.
The committee would like to see all the businesses welcome teams and visitors using store window fronts and signage.
“We encourage everyone to change their signs to welcoming teams and visitors to town,” he said.
The committee has spoken with a couple local sign companies, and they are also willing to help with any needs the business may have. From posters to vinyl solutions, there are an array of options for businesses to choose from.
There are also talks with some local artists that businesses could reach out to if they would like to have their windows painted.
The best decorated business will receive tickets to a game and free snacks at Affinity Place.
The Downtown Business Association will hold its annual street fair on May 21 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in the 1200-block of Fourth Street.
The day will start off with a pancake breakfast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Choice Real Estate and the Tower Café. There will be a live stage featuring many Saskatchewan musicians and bouncy castles, and talks are still in the works for arts and crafts, face painting, a petting zoo and carnival games.
The Shoot to Save initiative is one that will provide local businesses with the opportunity to provide coupons which can only be used during the Centennial Cup. Participants will shoot at a net which will have a board covering it and slots with different coupon denominations of $5, $10 and $20. If they make it through one of the slots, they can draw for a coupon for that denomination from participating businesses.
“The idea is that we are able to get people through the doors in-between games and have people experience our amazing local businesses and hospitality.” This promotion will happen at Affinity Place through the duration of the tournament.
Finally, the Taste of the Centennial Cup will have participating restaurants create a special dish throughout the tournament that the committee will promote.
Diners will have the ability to vote for the best dish and drink that was created and have the chance to be known as the best dish and drink of the tournament.
“If it is an industry that has been hit hard over the past couple of years, it is the hospitality industry. It is our hope that we will be able to help fill their establishments and have a friendly competition along the way.”
Talks are still in the works with the Estevan Market Mall, Shop Estevan committee and the Estevan Chamber of Commerce to have more events throughout the week.
