Kingston prepares to host 59th Vanier Cup

Kingston is gearing up to big the 59th Vanier Cup connected Saturday, welcoming the undefeated Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks and the powerhouse Laval Rouge et Or, the squad with the astir wins successful the cup’s history.

Mayor Bryan Paterson said the lawsuit is simply a accidental to item Kingston’s quality to big large sporting events.

“I’m excited, and I deliberation it truly is simply a showcase of what Kingston is susceptible of and being capable to big large sporting events of nationalist value similar the Vanier Cup,” Paterson said.

The Vanier Cup, Canada’s assemblage shot championship, has been the pinnacle of the athletics for astir six decades. After 39 years successful Toronto, the lawsuit present rotates among cities nationwide. Last year’s Kingston-hosted crippled generated implicit $2.3 cardinal successful economical impact, according to Tourism Kingston’s Emma Lambert.

“It generated implicit $2.3 cardinal successful economical interaction conscionable that play alone. So visitors coming to the city, taking successful the game, staying astatine section hotels, going to restaurants erstwhile they’re here,” Lambert explained.

This year, Lambert anticipates adjacent greater turnout, citing the proximity of some Laval and Laurier to Kingston and their robust shot instrumentality bases.

“I deliberation that’s partially due to the fact that the 2 teams that are playing successful the title are 2 immense shot schools. It’s Laval vs. Laurier, truthful it’s a truly breathtaking matchup. They’re besides some driving distances to Kingston here,” Lambert said.

The play includes family-friendly events similar the collegiate women’s emblem shot title astatine Miklas-McCarney Field and a escaped “Try Football” lawsuit connected Saturday greeting for section youth.

Mayor Paterson added that Kingston volition proceed moving to pull akin high-profile events.

“Ultimately we’re ever looking for wherever those close partnerships and close opportunities to beryllium capable to pull an lawsuit that means a batch to the system but besides means a batch to the illustration of the city,” helium said.

The Vanier Cup promises not lone thrilling shot enactment but a important boost to Kingston’s system and assemblage engagement.