Canadian Native Fastball

Canadian Native Fastball is coming back

Jan 23, 2020 | 3:29 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – It will be a great financial shot in the arm for Prince George. Since the city has been the successful bidder for the 2020 Canadian Native Fastball Championships.

Prince George played host to the event in 2016 when 80 teams descended on the city and infused $3 million into the local economy.

“We’re expecting about 1,200 people with their teams and their entourages,” explains Harley Desjarlais, Chair of the Orgnizing Committee. “Well, 1,200 with just players, plus their families and friends, that kind of stuff. So probably three or four thousand people.”

They will be filling the hotels and eating in the restaurants. In fact, Tourism Prince George expects the impact this time will be closer to $3.5 million dollars. But the Organizing Committee gave a big shout out to Council who waived up to $26,300 in fees and charges and approved $21,833 from the Major Events Fund for new fencing and a new backstop.

Those are considered legacies from this event, which are used to attract bigger events in future.

“All these pieces that leave that legacy behind in our community are huge for hosting events in the future,” says Colin Carson, the Manager of Sport Tourism.

And Desjarlais has great aspirations.

“We’re also looking at, possibly, a world championship And also stuff like North American Indigenous Games,” Desjarlais says they are submitting a bid to host the 2021 Canadian Senior Championships.