by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 07/97) - The success of teams in the Super Soccer tournament is measured in goals, but the impact of the tournament on the city can be measured in dollars and cents.

With the exception of the Arctic Winter Games, the western territorial indoor soccer showdown is the biggest event in the North. The invasion of 1,700 soccer players and their coaches and chaperons each spring serves as a kick-start for the summer economy.

Many visitors bring a wallet full of spending money. Much of that cash is disposed on something has become a necessity of life for most North American youth -- fast food.

"If you're asking if we've been busy -- yes, we were definitely busy," said Subway reinforcement staffer April Fraser, cutting short an explanation for the phone call.

"It was steady constantly. We had teams coming in. As soon as one would clear out we'd have a chance to clean up and another would come in."

Subway made and sold 545 sandwiches on Friday and 450 on Saturday. Super Soccer is a boon that fast food businesses can rely on, and one they prepare for.

Assistant manager Andre Corbeil said the Airport Road McDonald's accounts for the increase in its budget estimates and brings in the extra help required to meet the demand.

"Probably where we noticed the most increase was breakfast," said Corbeil. Eat-in proved more popular than drive-through.

"I think it's a novelty to have McDonald's," said Corbeil, "just because most of them don't have it. They don't want to drive through, they want to sit at a table and experience McDonald's."

But growing active bodies need more than fast food to get by. The Sugar Plum Fairy candy store reported a doubling of sales during the tournament.

One aboriginal mother recently lamented, "Our kids used to want to look white, now they all want to look black."

For many, the visit was a chance to continue pushing the edge of the ethnic envelope, stocking up on way-oversized hip hop wear, platform running shoes and athletic wear.

"The athletic side goes quite quickly with the kids here," said Bata Athlete's World salesman Darryl Purdy. "A lot of track suits, soccer shoes, shorts, T-shirts -- basically our athletic supplies."

Of course, beyond the McDonald's experience, the feeling of being in the city with over a 1,000 peers was, next to the soccer itself, the main experience to be savored, and one that can't be bought.