A large pool tournament left a positive mark on Chatham.
Earlier this month, over 600 people traveled to the city to take part in the Ontario 8-Ball Championships.
Shannon Paiva, program manager of tourism management for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, told CK News Today that the five-day event had an economic impact of at least $105,000.
She explained that the tourism department calculated the number after accounting for hotel stays, food and beverages, gas, labour costs, and more.
For Paiva, it was no surprise that the tournament's organizers chose to hold the event in Chatham.
"Chatham-Kent is well-positioned to host private events like this where 600 people can come and take part," she explained.
One of the bigger takeaways from the event is the need for more hotels. The organizers of the pool tournament had a tough time finding accommodations for each player.
Back in December, Chatham-Kent's council approved having the municipality's administration issue an Expression of Interest for the development of a hotel next to the John Bradley Convention Centre.
"If we're looking to host 1,200 to 1,500 people, and there are conferences out there that do house that, then absolutely we need those hotels to be built here," added Paiva.
While she couldn't say whether any major events have been scheduled in CK, Paiva said it's always possible at this time of year because of hockey and baseball tournaments.
