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| For the second straight year the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) Western Championships set an economic impact record in Penticton, BC. The 2024 CSSHL Western Championships reached a new economic impact record of $5.231 million, almost $2 million more than the 2023 record of $3.337 million. The event, which took place in Penticton from March 4-17, 2024, featured 96 teams and roughly 2,100 players and staff from the four Western Canadian provinces and the states of Idaho and Washington. Over 91% of the events participates were out of town, overnight guests. Roughly 3,879 spectators attended the event, with 93% of those spectators being out of town, overnight guests. 86% of these spectators travelled more than 320km to attend the event, staying on average 5 nights in Penticton. It was announced back in March of 2023 that the CSSHL and its partners Okanagan Hockey Group, Oak View Group, Travel Penticton and the City of Penticton reached an agreement for a 10-year agreement (five years, with an additional five-year renewal clause) to host the Western Championships beginning in March 2024. “With the continued expansion of the CSSHL, which will see 105 teams from the four western provinces and the states of Idaho and Washington competing during the 2024/25 season, the CSSHL Western Championships will only continue to grow each season and provide even further economic impact,” added CSSHL Chief Operating Officer Kevin Goodwin. “Our partnership with the Canadian Sport Hockey League is a win-win-win for everyone involved and the chance to showcase our city has been incredibly beneficial to everyone,” says Mayor Julius Bloomfield. “From the student athletes who get an opportunity to live their dreams, to the CSSHL who have a welcoming home for their championships, to Penticton who benefits from the players and families who come to enjoy all we have to offer, we are all benefitting from this agreement and looking forward to seeing it grow.” With the continued expansion of the CSSHL and the annual addition of new teams, the game count has seen a 29% increase since the 2022/23 season.148 games were played in 2023, and 166 in 2024 with that number expected to hit 191 in 2025. Travel Penticton, the official tourism marketing agency for the city if Penticton, is an enthusiastic supporter of the CSSHL. “Our Board, membership and marketing team see the real value of this event.” stated Thom Tischik, Travel Penticton Executive Director. “The CSSHL event happens in a normally quiet time of the tourism year. This initiative helps to fill accommodations, generate business to restaurants, craft breweries, wineries, retailers and other non-hospitality venues.” Thom goes on to say, “Our investment sees real-time benefits and we look forward to a long-term partnership with CSSHL over the next several years.” “The support for our business community that the CSSHL event brings in the shoulder season is incredible and it’s great to see our accommodations full, restaurants busy and community on show for this event” said Anthony Haddad, General Manager of Community Services. Haddad added, “We look forward to the long-term partnership with CSSHL, Okanagan Hockey Group, Oak View Group and Travel Penticton so see this event continue to grow and support our community over the coming years.” The 2022 CSSHL Western Championships had a $3.151 million impact on the city of Penticton. For further information: Jordan Martin Manager, Media & Communications Canadian Sport School Hockey League j.martin@csshl.ca About UsThe Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) was established in 2009 and has grown to feature 39 accredited schools and 129 teams from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island and the states of Idaho and Washington. The league was designed specifically for elite level student athletes, giving them the opportunity to focus on their education while increasing their skills off and on the ice and providing them with a high level of competition and exposure. Currently, the CSSHL includes eight different divisions at the U15, U17, U18 Male and U18 Female levels. |
