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A group of volunteers is asking B.C. curling fans to help them bring the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, one of Curling Canada’s premier events, to Penticton in 2018.
Kim Kirkham and Charlie Cohoe are leading a host committee that has until June 30 to submit a bid to Curling Canada.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to submit a bid for the 2018 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Our organizing committee consists of many people who were involved in the 2013 Continental Cup of Curling, also held in Penticton," said Kirkham. "As well, we have recruited some of the under 40 Pentictonites to help spread the word to younger demographic."
The committee said an event of this magnitude will bring a significant economic benefit to the city during a time of year when it is really needed.
Along with national television exposure and an opportunity to highlight the area, there will be an arena audience expected to be in excess of 80,000 over the eight days of competition.
Attendees will provide economic spinoffs through hotel stays, shopping, dining and other tourism activities.
Economic benefit to this event is estimated to be between $6 and $12 million.
A host of volunteers, along with the city and the SOEC, were successful in conducting a previous Curling Canada event, the 2013 Continental Cup, and demonstrated that the facilities, services and volunteer base were excellent and well-positioned to host a bigger event, like the Scotties.
To show it has the support of curling fans, the committee has set a goal of collecting 1,000 deposits of $100 each on full event tickets for the 2018 Scotties Tournament of Hearts before June 20.
"We are confident that we can put on a first-class event. We just need the public to get behind this and purchase a full event pass."
A strong response, over the next six weeks, will greatly increase the chance of a successful bid.
Orders can be placed at Valley First Box office at the SOEC, Wine Country Visitors Centre, via phone at 1-877-SOEC-TIX or 250-763-2849, and online at ValleyFirstTix.com.
Additional information on the event can be viewed here.
