Big economic boost expected for the city from Juno events and awards

The city will be buzzing this weekend as the Juno Awards and events take over.

Tourism Saskatoon’s Sarah Berger says they’re expecting the economic impact to be much greater than what it costs to bring an event like this to Saskatoon.

“It was about a $12 million impact when it was in Vancouver, it wasn’t as much last year in London (Ontario), but we do expect this to be a great impact in our community.”

She says once the Junos are a wrap they’ll do an economic impact study, just like they do for any large event that comes to the city.

Berger says an event like this is not only good for the hotels and restaurants, but the city as a whole.

“The restaurants are full, the Uber drivers and the taxi drivers are busy, all of the shops in all of our business districts are full of people.  People are spending money.”

She says the planning has been a lot like the 2007 Junos in Saskatoon, but this years has a much bigger footprint –  with added events like the comedy show, Juno Cup and Junofest.

The Juno Awards will take place at Saskatoon’s Sasktel Centre Sunday. Juno events start Thursday with the kick-off concert.

A list of Juno-related events can be found here.