Tennis fans could be big winners at the expense of Vancouver Canucks fans.
The Canucks are scheduled to host the Colorado Avalanche January 31 and the Chicago Blackhawks February 2, which would preclude the Davis Cup tie against number 1 ranked Spain from happening in Rogers Arena.
If the National Hockey League lockout lasts long enough to force the schedule to be radically altered – or cancelled altogether – the first weekend of February could be the biggest men’s tennis event in Vancouver history.
Spain, the winner of three of the last four Davis Cups, is contesting the 2012 championship November 16 to 18 against the Czech Republic. By then, Rafael Nadal could be recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of the London 2012 Olympics. He could be wearing red and gold somewhere in Canada when the 2013 Davis Cup quest begins February 1 to 3.
Vancouver proved itself a worthy host last February when France came to play Canada at the University of BC’s Thunderbird Arena. The rink, mostly empty since the 2010 Paralympics, was filled with 5,000 boisterous fans daily. The event was carried live nationally on Rogers Sportsnet.
Canada lost the tie 4-1. The only other disappointment was Milos Raonic withdrawing on the third day with a reported knee injury.
Canada stayed in the world group when it beat South Africa outdoors in Montreal in September. Tennis Canada president Michael Downey dropped a big hint that Vancouver is in the running when he encouraged Vancouverites to take to social media and show their support.
Last February’s event, organized under Tennis Canada director Hector MacKay-Dunn, scored $250,000 in government grants: $50,000 from Sport Canada and $100,000 cheques from the City of Vancouver and the provincial government. Tennis Canada-hired lobbyist Jess Ketchum helped gain the provincial grant.
The Rogers-sponsored downtown venue would be ideal if it’s available, but don’t discount a return to UBC where it’s needed more. The first revenue- generating spectator events at T-Bird Arena since the Davis Cup tie are on the last weekend of October, separate concerts by Bassnectar and the Wiggles.
Beer sales flat
Conventional wisdom says an NHL lockout will be a disaster for breweries in Canada.
Who can forget Molson’s “Hockey, please come back” TV spots to the tune of Culture Club’s “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” from 2004-05?
Surprisingly, Canadians remained thirsty, particularly in British Columbia, according to the Brewers’ Association of Canada.
Nationally, beer consumption fell by 65,000 hectolitres (hl) from 2003 to 2004, but jumped 2.5 million hl in 2005. Per capita beer consumption, however, has been flat since 2008, reflecting the aging baby boomers who are shifting to wine.
In B.C., total consumption was 2.34 million hectolitres in 2003. It increased in 2004 to 2.36 million hl, and by 2005 it hit 2.66 million hl. Consumption peaked at 2.848 million hl in 2009 before tailing off to 2.763 million hl in 2010. Similar to the national trend, B.C.’s per capita beer consumption has been falling since 2007 to the benefit of wine.
Is your business feeling the pinch from the NHL lockout? Or are you reaping the rewards of newfound business from bored NHL fans? Contact me and tell me your story.
VANOC adieu
Quote of the week from Rusty Goepel, the chairman of the still-in-existence VANOC.
“It’s like the parrot in Monty Python.”
Unlike the winged wonder from the famous Pet Shoppe sketch, however, VANOC has not fully ceased to be or expired yet.
The 19-member board of directors is scheduled for at least one last teleconference this fall to receive the financial report for the fiscal year ended July 31, despite chief executive John Furlong telling the International Olympic Committee in July 2011 that it would be wrapped up by summer 2012. Seven former full-time executives, including ex-vice-president of communications Renee Smith-Valade, remain involved on an “as and when needed” basis for legal and insurance matters.
