Former national and international women’s curling champion Kelly Scott has thrown her weight behind Penticton’s bid to host the 2018 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
She's urging B.C. curling enthusiasts to hurry hard with support.
Scott, an Okanagan resident and skip of the Kelowna Curling Club, has competed in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts eight times, winning it in 2006 and 2007, She's also added the 2007 World Women’s Curling Championship to her long list of curling credentials.
This week Scott endorsed Penticton’s bid to host the Jan. 28 to Feb. 4, 2018 national women’s curling championship tournament, saying the entire tournament experience benefits the curlers, fans, community and province.
“We need to rally together to make sure we can showcase our beautiful Okanagan area and treat these talented women’s curlers to a top-notch event in Penticton,” she said. “Please support this bid by registering your $100 deposit today.”
Tournament organizers are trying to sell 1,000 of the $100 ticket deposits needed by June 10 in order to have their bid considered by the Canadian Curling Association.
Currently Sydney, N.S., is the only other city vying to host the 2018 tournament.
But Penticton organizers are excited and optimistic about their chances of securing B.C.’s fourth national women’s championship tournament.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to submit a bid for the 2018 Scotties Tournament of Hearts,” says Penticton host committee co-chair Kim Kirkham. “We are confident that we can put on a first-class event. The South Okanagan Events Centre is perfect for the event’s competition venue and the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, where the patch party will be held, is connected via an enclosed walkway. We just need the public to get behind this and purchase a full-event pass deposit.”
The full-pass deposits demonstrate to Scotties organizers the level of local support for the tournament. Full-event passes include access to every match and entry to the patch each day.
Deposits can be made locally at the Valley First Box Office (at the SOEC), Wine Country Visitor Centre, via phone at 1-877-SOEC-TIX (763-2849) or online at rockthebid.com.
The $100 deposit is refundable if Penticton is unsuccessful in its bid.
If Penticton wins the bid, patrons who have made the $100 deposit would have to follow through and buy tickets for the tournament, or their deposit is forfeited.
“This tournament will mean a huge influx of people into our community and a boost to our local economy during the winter season,” Kirkham said.
The economic spinoff from the event has been estimated to be $6 to $12 million.