Brier to inject $15 million into local economy: Watson

As the city ramps up for multiple events in 2017 to mark Canada’s sesquicentennial, a major sporting event just can’t wait, as the Canadian Curling Association announced Thursday the 2016 Tim Hortons Brier will be held at TD Place Arena.

The event brings together the best mens curlers in the country and will run from March 5 to 13.

“The Tim Hortons Brier represents another big win for our Bid More, Host More, Win More strategy,” Mayor Jim Watson said in a statement. “This event will generate at least $15 million for the local economy while offering fans nine days of the best curling in the world.”

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Curling association CEO Greg Stremlaw said the CCA is excited to bring the event to the revitalized Lansdowne Park complex.

“Ottawa has shown that it has the enthusiasm, the experience and the facilities we are looking for, and it is a great curling town,” he said in a statement.

The city’s Bid More, Win More, Host More program has attracted events that have, so far, boosted the local economy by $42 million. Future events like the Brier and FIFA’s Women’s World Cup Canada will see an additional $37 million come in.

This will be Ottawa’s fourth Brier and first since 2001, when TD Place Arena was known as the Civic Centre.

“Ever since the building renovations started at TD Place, we’ve been wanting to put a major event there, and the Tim Hortons Brier will be a perfect showcase,” Mr. Stremlaw said.

Host committee spokesperson Elaine Brimicombe said it was tough keeping this news under wraps until Thursday’s announcement.

“Now that the news is public, I know we’ll get an amazing response from volunteers and fans, both from the Ottawa region and across the country,” Ms. Brimicombe said in a statement.

Tickets go on sale in February.

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