Barrie looks to host Tim Hortons Brier
The City of Barrie has its sights set on hosting the 2023 Brier, one of curling's biggest annual events.
Barrie city council says they want to try and bring the Tim Hortons Brier to the Sadlon Centre.
"We want to do these sorts of things we're thinking ahead now. How do we support our tourism industry through a sustained recovery over the coming years?" Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman said on Friday.
Earlier this week council passed a motion to apply to host the ten-day televised event, which could generate between eight and 15 million-dollars in tourism.
"I'm super stoked to hear that Barrie is going to put a bid in for the Brier," says Glenn Howard, former world and Brier champion.
Howard lives in Midland and won four Briers in his career. His 218 Brier games are more than any other player ever.
Howard likes Barrie's chances of hosting the event.
"There used to be a time when there was 10,000 to 15,000 seat arenas being used, now it's down to the four, to five to six thousand range and to me, the Sadlon centre would be the perfect venue," Howard says.
The Barrie Curling Club says there would be many spin-offs at nearby clubs if the event were held locally.
"We see a spike right after the Olympic events, so something in our community is sure to have positive impacts not only on local business but our club as well," Scott Garrett, president of the Barrie Curling Club.
Jeff Vanbodegom coached the Under 18 Men's National Champion squad in Alberta in 2019. He works full-time at CTV Barrie and says having an event in his hometown would be fantastic.
"It is what every child under 18, every kid who curls dreams of, being to the Scottie and the Brier. To have a Brier in Barrie is incredible for their ability to go and see these players play," Vanbodegom says. "It's just a really exciting event for them."
Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman says the next step is to submit a letter of intent and then prepare to make an official bid. Lehman says the city is more than prepared to hold the event and is and excited about its chances.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.