North Battleford officials are jubilant over the news that the city has landed the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling event next January.
The Battlefords will host the tour’s Canadian Open event from Jan. 3 to 8. The event had been held in Yorkton the previous two years, but this will be the Saskatchewan stop on the tour this upcoming season. There are seven events in total across Canada running from October to April.
At the City’s Planning Committee meeting Tuesday, council members pointed out this is a prestigious event.
“It’s a nationally-televised event,” said Mayor Ian Hamilton.
The event is shown nationally on Sportsnet to the entire country. He commended Twin Rivers Curling Club for their efforts to bring the event to the Battlefords.
“Boy, it’s exciting,” said Hamilton, who added “North Battleford is where it’s at.”
Councillor Ryan Bater was also excited. Bater is also executive director of Destination Battlefords, which has recently stepped up efforts to attract major events to the Battlefords.
He pointed out while Twin Rivers Curling Club is hosting the event, the actual venue would be the Civic Centre. Bater said the level of competition would be “the highest calibre of curling talent we’ve ever seen”.
“These are world class curlers,” said Bater.
“It’s the best curlers in the world, and they’re going to be here to play in our Civic Centre. That’s really exciting.”
Hamilton also was still bubbling over the arrival of the selection committee for the Saskatchewan Winter Games in the community last week. The selection committee toured a number of potential local venues for the 2018 Winter Games, including the CUplex, the Civic Centre, Table Mountain, Blue Mountain and other locations.
The mayor expressed absolute confidence Tuesday that North Battleford would be selected as the host of the games.
“I’m very much looking forward to Thursday’s announcement that will confirm that North Battleford is the chosen site for the 2018 Winter Games,” said Hamilton. “I’m convinced it’s going to happen and no one’s going to tell me otherwise.”
