The Power Smart Manitoba Summer Games brought thousands of people to Steinbach last week which gave an economic boost to some businesses. Linda Peters, executive director of the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce, says service businesses like restaurants and hotels certainly did very well last week. She adds it's hard to put a number on the impact of the games on the community.

"We are actually in the middle of doing an economic impact survey together with Sport Manitoba to try to get some clearer data on what kind of an impact this has. As I was out asking questions at some of the different venues, there were people who were saying that they were definitely shopping and they were spending anywhere from $100 to $400 here in our community. So I would think that there would be some retailers that would be noticing that as well but I think the service industry is where the biggest impact will be."

Henry Nickel, General Manager of Ste. Anne Co-op, says their gas stations and convenience stores were definitely busy but adds it's hard to measure the economic impact of the games. What he did notice was a big impact on many Co-op employees who eagerly served as volunteers at the games.

"They really got together and started organizing and getting groups together to volunteer. The reports from our employees who volunteered was very positive that the athletes that they were coming into contact with were very pleased with and impressed with how they were being taken care of by everybody in our community."

Nickel says this will have a lasting impact on their staff. Ste. Anne Co-op also stepped up as the official fuel sponsor, providing all the fuel for the buses, VIP vehicles and generators as well as looking after propane needs. Nickel says Co-op is owned by its members and so giving back to the community is very important to them.