The first of two major curling events being held in Grande Prairie this winter is fast approaching. Little over two months remain before the Home Hardware Canada Cup of Curling plays host to some of the best men’s and women’s teams in the country. Tim Meng, Vice Chair of the host committee, says bringing the Canada Cup and the Scotties to Grande Prairie further puts our community on the map.
“It’s going to show the rest of the country what kind of host city we can be, whether it is a curling event or any other national event. It’s not just a barren, frozen wasteland, we have the volunteers and it’s a good time up here.”
Meng says bringing these events to new communities like Grande Prairie also helps give more exposure to the sport of curling and helps to inspire the next generation of curlers.
15 men’s and women’s curling teams will be travelling to Grande Prairie to take part in the Canada Cup. Team Sweeting skip Val Sweeting, who is from Vegreville, says as an Albertan she always appreciates having home ice advantage.
“Having the crowd support on your side definitely helps. We’ve been in situations where it has been the other way, not that it brings you down, but just when you know that the crowd is on your side it can pick you up that much more. Also you can have your family there and that’s huge.”
The top men’s and women’s teams will automatically earn a berth at the Tim Horton’s Roar of the Rings Olympics qualifier.