Provincial boost for the Grey Cup
The Manitoba government announced on Oct. 12 that the province will invest up to $5.5 million in the Winnipeg Football Club’s bid for the 2024 or 2025 Grey Cup.
“Our government is proud to support the efforts of the Winnipeg Football Club to bring the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) premiere event back to our capital city, home of the league’s loudest and most passionate fans,” said Premier Heather Stefanson at the club’s annual legacy dinner on Oct. 12. “Winnipeg has earned a reputation as a very capable host of major sports and cultural events, including the successful staging of four prior Grey Cups, bolstered by impressive volunteer strength, and our province’s renowned hospitality and community spirit.”
The club is bidding on both Grey Cup events in 2024 and 2025 in an increased effort to secure hosting rights for one of the events. It’s estimated that hosting the Grey Cup Festival adds $90 million in economic activity, including $8.2 million in provincial tax revenues, according to the premier.
New PrairiesCan location opens in Brandon
PrairiesCan opened a new location in Brandon on Oct. 12, one of seven new offices for the federal government economic development agency.
The location, opened by Hon. Daniel Vandal, Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and Minister responsible for CanNor Agency, complements PrairiesCan offices in Winnipeg and Thompson.
The same day, Vandal also announced PrairiesCan investments into five projects in the Westman region:
- $2,200,000 for Assiniboine Community College to establish a Centre for Creative Media in Brandon
- $1,000,000 for Power HV Inc. to increase high voltage bushing and bushing sensor production
- $75,429 for the Municipality of Oakland – Wawanesa to enhance green space and revitalize Riverbend Park in Wawanesa.
- $178,875 for the Municipality of Deloraine – Winchester to revitalize the downtown core of Deloraine.
- $151,745 for the Fern Valley Recreation Commission / Municipality of Grasslands to upgrade campground facilities at Whitewater Recreation Park in Elgin.
Pollard Banknote wins Texas contract
Winnipeg-based Pollard Banknote announced Oct. 12 it has been awarded a contract from the Texas Lottery Commission to provide scratch ticket manufacturing and services.
The contract extends the two-decade relationship between Pollard and Texas Lottery through 2034, and introduces Pollard’s proprietary easyVEND™ In-Lane ticket vending solution to the state.
“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with the Texas Lottery through this new contract,” said Brad Thompson, Pollard vice president, sales & marketing. “For over two decades we have collaborated with the Lottery to deliver innovative scratch ticket products that excite and engage players. With the inclusion of our easyVEND™ solution, the Lottery can now augment sales at multi-lane retailers through increased product awareness and new points of distribution to its players, leading to greater returns for good causes throughout the state.”
True North Sports + Entertainment launches new fan app
True North Sports + Entertainment has released a new app for Jets and Moose fans to manage their accounts and earn rewards. Now downloadable from the App Store or Google Play, the Official Winnipeg Jets App powered by Budweiser lets fans create a Jets 360 account to access team standings, statistics, videos, articles and more – before, during and after games. It also includes Ticketmaster’s centralized TN Ticket Central ticket management for all games and Canada Life Centre events – where users can buy, manage and scan mobile tickets at Canada Life Centre. Finally, the app allows fans access to the Jets 360 rewards program where they can earn rewards on challenges “like watching Jets and Moose games, answering trivia questions about the teams’ histories, attending events at Canada Life Centre, supporting the community by visiting local landmarks and events, and even by playing hockey at community rinks like Iceplex and other neighbourhood clubs.” Fans earn “pucks” that can be used to participate in contests to win rewards and unique experiences.
“Manitobans have been so passionate and supportive since the return of the Jets in 2011,” said Christina Litz, True North Sports + Entertainment’s Chief Brand & Commercial Officer. “We have been working to build a program that genuinely thanks fans for their support and through Jets 360, we can reward fans as well as celebrate what makes our fanbase so special.”