Saint John sees tourism boom as Memorial Cup energizes the city
The Saint John Sea Dogs hit the ice for their morning skate almost eight hours before their game Wednesday, but there were plenty of activities already going on in the city.
Fan Fest was well underway at Market Square with kids testing the accuracy and velocity of their shots.
“It’s a great thing for the city,” said Saint John resident Sawyer King. “It brings a lot to the city and it feels like the city is changing for the better around the Memorial Cup, and it’s just a great experience for everyone.”
Chris Green is on the host organizing committee, and has been bringing the 103-year-old trophy to events around the region.
“I think having the memorial cup here is a great experience,” said Green. “The atmosphere in town right now is great. People are happy, and the competitive spirit is alive here in Saint John.”
Down at the Area 506 Waterfront Container Village, tourists have raved about the city and the atmosphere at the rink Monday night.
“I’m really impressed with Saint John,” said Chris Nangreaves, who’s visiting from Ontario.
“We’ve only had a small amount of time to walk around, but people are very friendly, very easy going, and I find it easy to get around.”
People have been coming to Area 506 in droves even before the Memorial Cup.
“When COVID hit, it just died off, offices closed,” said Saint John resident Audrey Jaynes. “Seeing people come up here purposefully and just enjoy uptown, it feels great.”
Rocker Joel Plaskett played a late afternoon gig as part of the tournament festivities.
“It’s always been one of my favourite cities in the Maritimes,” said Plaskett.
“There’s a little touch of Saint John that makes me feel like I might be in the United States, like Portland, Maine, or something. There’s a romance to it, because it feels different from other cities.”
The city didn’t have a long time to put the tournament together – about one year. Cities normally get about 18 months to prepare.
"It did come together in a hurry,” Saint John mayor Donna Reardon.
The mayor says being selected as the host city was a big win for Saint John.
"It gave everyone this amazing sense of success, and pride.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.