Canada Summer Games give boost to Winnipeg's reputation and local biz

The Canada Summer Games appear to be giving Winnipeg's reputation a bit of a boostin addition togenerating a lot of revenue for local businesses at The Forks.

Before coming toWinnipeg for the first time last Sunday,Benjamin Lohoarhad heard a couple of things about the city. The first was that the landscapewas very flat, and, second,it had a high crime rate.

Lohoar came to Winnipeg from New Brunswick with his parents to cheer on his brother on the province's kayak team. He said the city lived up to its reputation for flatnessbut he was pleasantly surprised by everything else.

"I feel like I expected to see some of that stuff [crime] but the areas that I've been, which is namely The Forks and the Exchange District, have been quite fun to be around and accommodating," Lohoar said.

In five days he estimates his family has spent about $200. While that may not sound like much, Lohoarbelieves Winnipeg will feel the economic impact of the Games.

"The athletes perhaps have everything provided for them but the parents have to buy their meals, and each athlete, at least for the kayaking team, has their parents here, plus the managersand some people who are going out and seeing parts of the city and purchasing things," Lohoar said. "We haven't spent that much money around but I think the sheer number of us is going to be good for the city."

"I think this is part of the country that most people haven't seen and Iwould recommend because it's just been great while we've been here."

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Max Arsenault, the manager of New Brunswick's kayaking team, has been to BC, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and PEI.

So how does Winnipeg compare?

"I've only really seen a couple locations in Winnipeg.From what I've seen, especially The Forks, it's a really nice area and I like it," he said.

"I would describe it as very friendly, especially in welcoming all the athletes. If you're wearing a Team NB T-shirt you'll be sure to have multiple people come up and ask you what sport you're in, how you're liking Winnipeg and all that."

He hasn't seenenough of Winnipeg to recommend it to others, but said if anyone plans on coming here he would tell them to check out The Forks.

Jadyn Neufeld, 15, came from Whitehorseto support her uncle on theTeam Manitoba men's volleyball team.

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"It's been amazing, I'm so happy to be here.It's such a nice place to be," said Neufeld. She'svisited Winnipeg before to see family but said this time was different because she's had a chance to take in the Games.

"This time around we did a lot more, there's been more to do.I've never been around these type of things so it's new for me," said Neufeld.

The teen estimates she's spent about $700 on clothes and food, and said the shopping is way better than backhome in Yukon.

"It's just so much more," she said.

Business booming at The Forks

The Forks reported a 30 per centspike in overall traffic fromthistime last year.

"We've seen record numbers," said Clare MacKay,vice-president of corporate and community initiatives for The Forks.

MacKay believes the Canada Summer Games was a major contributor butsaid the weather and the recent renovations mayalso have played a role.

She said The Forks is now starting to tally up the numbers to see how much more business was generated this summer.

"I've noticed about a 50 per centjump, on weekdays especially" said TysonPriebe, manager of Fools and Horses.

The coffee shop opened at The Forks at the end of June. Priebe saidtypically the days were a mix of slow periods and busy rushes, especially early on in the week, but not anymore.

"Now that the Canada Games have been on it's been crazy all day," said Priebe.

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Tall Grass Prairie Bakery has also seen a spike in customers.

"We have felt an increase, mainly in people. We went from about 450 to 600 customers a day on certain days but they buy a little bit less, a lot of them buy two cookies," said Paul Langel, owner, Tall Grass Prairie Bread Company.

"But it's been wonderful. It's been really exciting."