COLD LAKE - The Cold Lake Air Show is set to provide a substantial economic boost to the community, attracting thousands of visitors and generating significant revenue for local businesses, according to local officials. The influx of attendees not only highlights the event’s entertainment value but also its considerable economic impact.
The importance of the air show in attracting visitors to the area was emphasized by Ryan Lefebvre, president of the Cold Lake Chamber of Commerce.
"A big part of it is just the amount of people that come to attend it, which is awesome," he said. "I mean, the performers put on a great show. They're able to pull some pretty high-profile entertainers and with that from my understanding ticket sales are really high this year. The hotels are full. I think most of the campgrounds are full. They're are going to eat in the restaurants and be in town and spend money in our communities.”
Mayor Craig Copeland echoed these sentiments, noting the widespread economic benefits. "The economic impact is massive. I mean, when you look at every single hotel room in Cold Lake and Bonnyville is totally sold out. People are reaching all the way into St. Paul now and Lloydminster for rooms," he said.
Copeland said expectations are for between 30,000 and 40,000 people attending the airshow.
“If the weather is really good, it wouldn't be surprising that we hit a bigger number than that. But it's a big economic driver. You're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars going to be spent in Cold Lake in about three days, kicking off with the Friday festival on Main Street, which is a lot of fun and a lot of people enjoy that."
The event's economic ripple effects are profound, extending beyond Cold Lake and into surrounding communities, the mayor said.
“It's hundreds of thousands of dollars of like economic spin off for the hotels, the retail, shopping, restaurants, gas stations. It's a massive injection of money just not only in Cold Lake, but as people are traveling from where they're coming from; people are going to be feeling it," Copeland explained.
Copeland also highlighted the City's commitment to supporting the event. "That's why as a city we're a major sponsor, a significant amount of money. It allows the organizing committee the ability to go and get the pay for the private acts that come to the air show," he said.
Additionally, the air show showcases Cold Lake’s unique features, he said.
"I think it showcases how kind of unique we are with having Canada's largest fighter base here and then also the oil sands but also just the beauty of the land. It's very pristine. There's not a lot of development, so, you know I think it's great to be able to showcase what we have to offer.
We're a very affordable city when you stack up our real estate versus elsewhere in Canada and Alberta right now."
Copeland added, “For the business community, it's going to be a big injection. The City is here to help the business community by sponsoring the air show and the other events. It's about helping the business community try to create revenue."
