Long-time Saskatchewan Roughrider fans Jeff and Jacque Parker booked their hotels for the 2013 Grey Cup the day after last year’s big game.
Next month’s face off will be the couple’s first Grey Cup, and they’ve been excited to take in the entire weekend’s worth of festivities. But a call from their hotel last week changed that.
“Due to circumstances they had overbooked the hotel by about 20 rooms and they were punting us out,” Jeff said.
The Parkers booked with four other couples. All of them were told their rooms were no longer available in the Super 8 Regina. In an email, Super 8 explained that the overbooking was due to a technical glitch.
Overbooking is a common practice. It’s hotel policy to find substitute rooms, but because of the Grey Cup, the nearest hotel Super 8 could find was in Weyburn.
They offered the Parkers gas money to go the extra distance, but the couple hasn’t decided if they’ll accept. They said they want to be able to take in the fun after the game, which means driving to Weyburn isn’t an option.
The email also explained that they could cancel their reservation and take a hotel credit to use in the future.
“I’m very disappointed for sure. We’ve never been to a Grey Cup before and that’s why we booked rooms and tickets because we thought we’d enjoy the whole weekend there, the whole package,” Jeff said.
Since Regina last hosted the Grey Cup in 2003, the city has nearly 1,000 new hotel rooms.
According to the Regina Hotel Association, the Queen City has the space to host such big events.
“We are a popular event destination. In response to that demand we’re seeing an increased supply and hotels are being built. Almost 20 hotels are being built in Regina and Saskatoon alone,” said Tracy Fahlman, CEO of the Regina Hotel Association.
Even with the extra rooms, the Parkers have found themselves on the sidelines. They’re excited for the game, but they haven’t decided where, or if, they’ll be staying in Regina.
Saskatoon couple searching for Grey Cup accommodation after hotel overbooked their rooms
