Kelowna wins cup bid

Photo: Robert Murray/WHL

Kelowna has won the right to host the 2020 Mastercard Memorial Cup.

The announcement was made by Western Hockey League commissioner Ron Robison following a vote by the league's board of governors.

Kelowna beat out bids from Kamloops and Lethbridge.

Elation. Complete elation," bid committee chair Tom Dyas said of his initial reaction when he learned Kelowna's bid had been selected just before the official announcement was made.

It will be the second time Kelowna has hosted the Memorial Cup.

The Rockets were victorious when the event was held in the city in 2004.

Dyas said the city raised the bar when it hosted the Memorial Cup in 2004, and plans to raise the bar again in 2020.

“Our successful bid will send vibrations throughout the Okanagan region. It was such a collaborative effort that allowed this dream to come to Kelowna,.

"It has been a privilege to work with such top­ class organizations on an event that will provide a substantial economic impact for our community.”

Dyas said he wasn't surprised at the board's decision. While he said both Kamloops and Lethbridge had excellent presentations, he felt going in his committee did everything they could have.

"We were confident going in because I truly believe there was nothing more that we could have done. We spent so much time analyzing budgets, analyzing the legal work, going through our plan, preparing our video and our presentation," said Dyas.

The bid committee will now be disolved, replaced by a host committee. Dyas said he plans to stay on and chair that committee as well.

The Rockets have been to five previous Memorial Cup championships, in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2015.