Brier sweeps into Kamloops for 2014
Believing it had been “way too long” since the Tim Hortons Brier had been in B.C., an organizing group in Kamloops has successfully convinced the Canadian Curling Association to return the national men’s championship to the Interior in 2014. Kamloops was the last B.C. city to host the Brier in 1996. It will become the third two-time host in the province after Vancouver (1950, 1978) and Victoria (1958, 1984).
“This is an event that has tremendous tradition and it’s an event that needs to move around, needs to come to all areas of the country to keep that cachet alive,” Norm Daley, the organizing chair for the 2014 Brier said on Tuesday.
It was the second major curling announcement in B.C. on the day, with Sportsnet and Curl BC confirming a 10-year deal to begin coverage of the semifinals and finals of the provincial men’s and women’s championships, plus the junior finals, beginning in 2014.
Sportsnet also announced similar deals with the Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario curling associations.
Kamloops has a rich history with curling, noted Daley, having hosted the 1998 world championships and the first six Canada Cup events from 2003 to 2008.
The event will be held in the 6,000-seat Interior Savings Centre.