For the first time since 1989, the SaskTel Tankard will be played in Regina.
The Cooperators Centre will welcome the province’s best men’s Curling teams to compete for a chance to represent Saskatchewan at the Tim Horton’s Brier.
Parks, Culture and Sport Minister for Saskatchewan Laura Ross says there will be fans in the stands.
“For athletes, for any kind of live entertainment sports, it’s the cheering fans (and) it’s that synergy that really make the event so memorable,” Ross said. “But it also really helps those athletes just rise to the occasion.”
The event will be held February 9-13, 2022.
.@CURLSASK Executive Director Ashley Howard has announced Regina’s Cooperators Centre will host the 2022 @SaskTelTankard in February.#yqr #sask pic.twitter.com/nJIDIQldLX
— Ryan McNally (@RyanE_McNally) July 8, 2021
When asked why the event wasn’t awarded to a smaller community like it has been in the past, CURLSASK Executive Director Ashley Howard says all member communities are eligible to bid for the event.
“Specifically to Estevan, we made a partnership with them for the men’s and the women’s provincial championship. Due to the Olympic year this year, we have to separate our dates,” Howard said. “We’ve previously awarded the women’s championship to Assiniboia in early January, and then we’re looking at having a really solid men’s championship here in February.”
Estevan was supposed to host in 2021, but that event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A variety of factors are taken into consideration for selecting a host venue, such as volunteers, facility quality and access to ice.
Reigning provincial champion Matt Dunstone’s second Kirk Muyres says while the team’s ultimate goal is is representing Canada at the Winter Olympics this season, playing a Tankard in Regina is a great consolation prize.
“We’re going into the season, going to try to play consistently throughout the season,” Muyres said. “If that means going to the Olympics, that’s great. If not, our goal and our focus will be on winning the Brier for Saskatchewan.”
Tickets will go on sale in the fall.
