Big time curling is returning to North Bay

A major curling event will be coming to North Bay in October.

The event at Memorial Gardens will be part of the 7 event Pinty’s Grand Slam Curling schedule.

It will be held from October 22nd-27th and will feature 30 teams- 15 women’s teams and 15 men’s teams.

Event chair Mark Brown says the success of last year’s successful World Women’s Curling championship is paying off for the city.

Infact, he says the curlers that were here convinced Rogers Sportsnet to want to hold one of their elite events in North Bay.

“Jennifer Jones went to them and spoke about having an event in North Bay. She considers North Bay to be the centre of the curling world,” he says.

Brown says some elite curlers will be here.

“You have 30 of the best teams in the world to come to one event so the level of competition is tremendous. You’re not going to see it anywhere else except at these type of events,” Brown says.

The big names are expected to include Kevin Koe, Brad Jacobs and Brad Gushue on the men’s side and Jennifer Jones, Rachel Homan and Anna Hasselborg on the women’s.

Jake Lacourse of Tourism North Bay says there’ll be a 2-3 million dollar economic impact to the community.

“Most of the money spent inside the community will go towards hotel rooms, transportation and food,” Lacourse says.

Complete event information will be unveiled next month.