Return to the Rock?
Success of Tour Challenge could help bring another Grand Slam event to province
There’s no guarantee Sportsnet’s Grand Slam of Curling will make a return appearance to Paradise in 2016.
At the same time, there’s no guarantee it won’t.
Before the first rocks were even delivered in the Tour Challenge two weeks ago at the Paradise Double Ice Complex, John Sheppard, chair of the local organizing committee, says he was hearing whispers about a potential return and says one Sportsnet executive teased that the World Curling Tour event would be back in in 2016.
“I think it’s something that if it went well here you could see it back next year, or you might see a different Slam event back here,” said Sheppard, suggesting that if it’s not the Tour Challenge, then one of the other seven Grand Slam events on next year’s WCT calendar. “When you factor in those Slam events, then you consider the Brier and the Scotties and the world championhips ... there are only so many cities (to host).
“They know they can sell the place out, they know they’ve got a good volunteer base, so if they were to come back next year, it will be a lot easier from an organizational standpoint.”
The final numbers on attendance and revenue aren’t in, but there’s little doubt the Tour Challenge was a successful venture for all parties involved.
“We expected it to be good, but I don’t think any of us expected it to be a total sell out, and sold out so early to have people lining up and calling for tickets,” says Sheppard.
That crowd — 1,100-plus strong for almost every draw — played a major part in the tremendous feedback from the curlers, according to Sheppard. Throughout the week, several were quoted as saying it was the most well-organized and enjoyable Grand Slam event they’ve competed in.
“Even though everyone was there supporting Brad (Gushue), the crowds were really knowledgeable about the sport of curling and they reacted to and applauded shots on both sides. The curlers fed off that.”
Big crowds will also be of great benefit to the local curling community.
The St. John’s Curling Club operated the ice-level Pinty’s Pub, splitting revenues with the Town of Paradise, and proceeds from the 50/50 sales will help support junior curling programs at both the Re/Max Centre and Bally Haly Golf and Curling Club.
Sheppard contends the event itself, coupled with Gushue’s strong showing and the 2017 Tim Hortons Brier news, is creating buzz about the sport at just the right time.
“We’re hoping over the next couple of years that curling will grow, our junior programs as well as our adult programs.”