BENDIGO is gearing up for a super Sunday on March 10, with the Bendigo Spirit hosting the WNBL grand final on the same day of the showcase event of the Bendigo International Madison.
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The double event is good news for Bendigo’s hospitality, tourism and retail industries, with thousands of people set to descend on the city over the Labour Day weekend.
Bendigo Motels Association president Charlie Loftus said accommodation providers would not be able to keep up with demand for rooms.
“Most places are already booked out,” he said.
“Basketball fans will try to book rooms up here and be surprised because we have a lot of forward bookings already.
“It will be extremely difficult to meet the demand.”
Mr Loftus said that was a good problem to have.
“We’re really happy about it. It showcases Bendigo,” he said. “The national exposure from the Spirit game and the Madison, money can’t buy that kind of exposure.”
City of Greater Bendigo city futures director Stan Liacos said major events like the WNBL final and the Madison put money into the Bendigo economy and promoted the city to a wider audience.
“Not only are these events significant economically, in that they attract large numbers of people to our fine city, but equally important is the terrific marketing and promotion that these events provide Bendigo nationally,” he said.
He said it showed Bendigo could “play at the national level with pride”.
“The hosting of the event of this nature conveys that Bendigo is a vibrant, bold, confident and proud regional city,” Mr Liacos said.
“As we have shown with our beloved Bendigo Bank and the Bendigo Art Gallery, little old Bendigo can play at the national level with pride.”
Editorial – Page 10
