Your cancelled concert is a real mess
Bonjour from the North — three cities, one corridor, and the stories that don't make it south of Barrie.
Okay, so you know how we're always fighting up here in Northern Ontario to get the big acts, to put the Sault on the map for more than just steel and hockey? Well, it looks like the Goo Goo Dolls concert being cancelled? Tabarnak, that's more than just a bummer for the fans who were ready to rock out at the GFL Memorial Gardens. This is hitting our city and local businesses right in the wallet, and nobody's really talking about how much, which is the problem.
### More Than Just Missed Tunes
This isn't just about the ticket sales disappearing, though that's a big chunk right there. Think about it: every concert brings people downtown, especially down near the waterfront and the International Bridge. People grab a bite at Ernie's, maybe a drink after at Soo Blaster, or spend a night at the Delta before driving back down Highway 17. The city and the Gardens lose out on their percentage of those ticket sales, sure, but also all the food and drink sold *inside* the venue. Plus, all the staff who were scheduled to work that night, the security, the ushers — that's hours they aren't getting, and those are our neighbours.
Here's the rub:
* **Lost Revenue:** For the city, it’s not just the tickets. It's the cut from concessions, merchandise, and even parking. * **Business Impact:** Restaurants, bars, and hotels in the downtown core, especially those near the GFL, rely on these events to boost their sales. * **Reputation Hit:** It doesn't look great when a major act cancels. It makes it harder to attract others, and we already fight tooth and nail for those bookings.
We work so hard to bring these events to the Sault. We want people to see that we're a vibrant city, not just a place you drive through on your way to somewhere else. When something like this happens, and the exact financial hit isn't even readily available, it just adds to the frustration. It’s a setback for the whole community, and for a city that bleeds blue and white for its Greyhounds, we expect better from our entertainment bookings.
Marc-André Desjardins, MiTL Sports Desk, Sault Ste. Marie.
My buddies on the Morning Wire break down stuff like this every single day — catch their take at mornings.live.