Thus, the host committee’s goal is to leave no stone unturned.
“There are just so many things you have to do right,” said host committee chairman Carl Delaney. “The players always have a questionnaire during these championships, and they are asked about the venue, host accommodations, shuttle service and if you get an A in all of these, it’s easier if you go back to the Canadian Curling Association (CCA) and ask for something, because they trust us.”
The dual championships, which will feature 12 men and 12 women’s teams, runs at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club for nine days from Saturday, March 16, through until Sunday, March 24.
“We are very lucky that the CCA agreed to extend the championship by one day,” said Delaney. “By doing that, from the start to the finish, there is only one day when we need to have an 8 o’clock in the morning draw.
“That’s our biggest day, which will be Thursday (March 21). The rest of the days are very easy for ice-making.”
The CCA obviously likes what they have seen from the Silver Fox in the past. This will be the third time The Fox has hosted the Canadian seniors, with the first two in 2006 and 2009. It is the first time the same club has hosted this event three times.
“The economic spinoffs for the city are enormous,” offered Delaney. “I don’t think people realize how much of a benefit this is, especially in the month of March, when it is not tourist season and there are not many people around.
“There are just so many things you have to do right. The players always have a questionnaire during these championships, and they are asked about the venue, host accommodations, shuttle service and if you get an A in all of these, it’s easier if you go back to the Canadian Curling Association (CCA) and ask for something, because they trust us.” - Host committee chairman Carl Delaney
“All of these people – I’d estimate probably 200 a day – are going to eat meals, so that’s 600 meals every day for over a week. . .
“They are going to go all over town. I think it’s just wonderful for the city.”
Future events
As for future major curling events in the city, Delaney said there are a number of factors to be taken into consideration.
“It would all depend on the club, the executives, what they want,” explained Delaney. “There are only certain ones that we can hold at the Silver Fox itself.
“If we get into anything that is a TV production, like the juniors or Scotties, we would need a bigger venue like Credit Union Place. When you get into a bigger venue of course expenses are higher, things are different.
“By having it at The Fox, we are lucky to have six sheets of ice, and six sheets of ice are really conducive to running these two (senior) championships. It’s important to recognize that this is not one championship, which most people have, with 12 teams coming from across Canada. These are two championships being held at the same time, the same venue for women and men.”
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