TISDALE — Nearly 200 athletes and 56 curling teams are expected to come to Tisdale for the largest provincial curling event that Saskatchewan has ever hosted.
In a ground-breaking decision, the CurlSask board of directors has awarded the 2021 Junior Men’s, Junior Women’s, Senior Men’s, Senior Women’s and Mixed Doubles Championships to the Tisdale Curling Club for February 2021.
This marks the first time in the organization’s 113-year history that five major curling provincials will be held in the same community.
“Tisdale has had such a great history of hosting events for us in the past,” said Ashley Howard, executive director with CurlSask.
“We really hope to make a big splash and an economic impact on the entire town and surrounding communities.”
Howard said twenty green jackets will be given out at the event. The green jackets represent winning a provincial championships – and are what all Saskatchewan curlers aim to wear.
“You really can’t buy that excitement as a fan and it’s second to ton to see someone win their first provincial championship.”
Tisdale has previously served as for the 2018 Affinity Credit Union Senior Provincial Championships, 2017 SaskTel Tankard Men’s Provincials and 2014 Viterra Scotties Women’s Provincials.
“Those were some of the most successful versions of those events we’ve hosted,” Howard said. “The support from the community – financial, by way of sponsorships, but also community support and volunteerism is very strong. It made the decision for us to take on this new championship and we can’t wait to see it happen in Tisdale.”
Tisdale was selected from a list of 26 qualified communities.
Since the five events have never been held simultaneously, Howard said CurlSask required an experienced host community.
“This is a learning experience for us too,” she said. “We’ve been planning for a year-and-a-half with our friends in Tisdale, following two years since the opportunity was first discussed with our championship committee.”
The events will take place in the Tisdale Curling Club and the RECplex Arena from February 12 to 20, 2021.
“We hope to roll in and have many fans attend,” Howard said. “We also hope to have the youth of the community just engaged in the event and potentially start their path to becoming a champion curler or a club curler. Just really get to see curling at its best and being an inspiration for the next generation is one of the outcomes we’re hoping for this event as well.”
