Curling event a 'grand slam' for North Bay

The Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Masters event was a tremendous success for the city, the Granite Club and the community as a whole.

That’s the word from organizing committee chair Mark Brown who tells BayToday they set a record for ticket sales.

“In excess of 37,000 seats being sold, with the previous record being 24,000. Obviously it’s going to be a financial benefit to the local curling club, but also a big financial benefit to the community with the economic impact,” he says.

Organizers previously said they estimated the economic impact at $4 million.

Brown says the amount of support they received from volunteers, the business sector and acceptance from the community to attend the event was outstanding.

He also says the fan support didn’t go unnoticed by the curlers themselves.

“Players were thrilled with the attendance and reception they received,” he tells BayToday. “It was very similar to the Worlds, whenever a team was done, win or lose, they were given an ovation as they went off the ice in appreciation of their efforts and the fact that they came to North Bay.”

Brown says they’re now looking at what other events they can bid on over the next three or four years.

“We’ll get together with our host committee, have a summary meeting on this event and we’ll take a look at what we want to take on in the future, put some feelers out to both Curling Canada and Sportsnet again, we’re very pleased with the Grand Slam event and see what we can do over the next three or four years, but I can guarantee you something will be coming back,” he says.

(Photo by station staff)