City Of Columbus Approves $250,000 To Support Blue Jackets' All-Star Weekend

The city of Columbus "plans to match Franklin County’s pledge of $250,000 to promote this season’s NHL All-Star Game," hosted by the Blue Jackets, according to Lucas Sullivan of the COLUMBUS DISPATCH. The Columbus City Council "unanimously approved the payment" at its meeting Tuesday night. The All-Star Game "will be held Jan. 25 in Nationwide Arena, and several events will celebrate the game." Estimates are that the event "will generate" $12M in revenue and $50M worth of media exposure for central Ohio. Columbus’ money will "come from taxpayer dollars in the general fund." Blue Jackets Exec VP/Business Operations Larry Hoepfner said that the money "will be used to promote the event and entertain visitors during that week." He said that an outdoor ice rink that "sometimes will be open to the public will be constructed and open for 11 days." A 300-foot “ice/snow” slide also will be "built and open for four days near the arena, along Nationwide Boulevard" (DISPATCH.com, 11/24).