Scotiabank Hockey Day exceeds expectations

There can be no doubt about it, Greater Victoria loves hockey. That was on full display last week as the many communities that have a connection to the sport came together for a celebration of Canada’s game.

Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada was a major success, raising community spirits and bringing activity to businesses downtown and across the region.

The mid-January festival took place over four days last week, with the official “hockey day” bringing 20,000 people to Ship Point in the Inner Harbour on Saturday.

“We heard reports that it was like a summer day for tourism,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said, noting that $100,000 was raised for the Courtnall Society for Mental Health.

The impact on tourism is still being assessed, as more than nine million Canadians saw images and stories of Greater Victoria during a full-day of NHL broadcasts on Sportsnet.

“Civic pride was the big thing here,” Williams told the Times Colonist. “We were successful because people came together and really celebrated the game we love so much.”

The Chamber was among many organizations that stepped up to sponsor the event.