Scotties draw a daily affair
It was hard to tell if it was a bleat or moo, but it came from the direction of a group of Team Alberta supporters at Meridian Centre.
Even on the day after the holiday, the arena was filled due to a large contingent of local school children and avid curling fans from across the country set on watching some of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts action unfold.
Among them Tuesday morning were Roger McGowan from Brantford and Joan Archer who came in from Woodstock.
Watching from a perfect seat, up high and dead centre of the arena, McGowan and Archer were able to scan all four curling rinks at the same time.
“I’m just here to watch. You can see four games at a time. You’re always going to get one or two good games,” said McGowan, who no longer curls because of heath issues.
They’re both cheering for Ontario at this point, and McGowan would also include Northern Ontario among favourites to win. They plan to attend at least two more days of curling this week.
Archer had travelled to Ottawa last year for a men’s brier, and she said this tournament is comparable in attendance.
“They had a wonderful Family Day program yesterday,” she said.
Despite their interest in the sport, the two have no plans to remain in St. Catharines for the finals. “It’s only one game. It’s easier to watch on television, you can see it all,” Archer said.
Coverage is broadcast daily on TSN 1 and 2.
Brody Smith, on the other hand, hopes to be at the arena cheering on Rachel Homan and Team Ontario in Sunday’s final.
“It will be a good game. Ontario’s Homan is an incredible skip — that whole team is phenomenal.”
Smith said he curled throughout high school and a little outside that and always watched curling as a family.
The York University student, who’s on reading week right now, said it was perfect timing that the Scotties landed on the same week.
“I think it’s great, we were here Sunday morning and caught Ontario. I’d like to come down a few more times,” he said.
“It’s not expensive by any means to check out more than one draw.”
Thousands of visitors were expected to descend on St. Catharines throughout the tournament. Previous Scotties tournaments have seen up to 65,000 visitors over the competition.
Organizers have said the anticipated economic impact based on other similar-sized cities that have hosted the Scotties is $9 million.
Fifteen teams are competing: Team Canada and teams from all 10 provinces and three territories. Ontario has two teams because of its size.