Kamloops Gets the Hearts!

KAMLOOPS GETS THE HEARTS!

Picturesque Kamloops, B.C., will play host to the 2023 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. (Photo, courtesy City of Kamloops/Peter Olsen)

KAMLOOPS, B.C., TO HOST 2023 SCOTTIES TOURNAMENT OF HEARTS

The Scotties Tournament of Hearts is headed to the Tournament Capital of Canada.

The 2023 Scotties Tournament of Hearts Canadian women’s curling championship will be played Feb. 17-26 at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops, B.C., it was announced today by Curling Canada.

“Hosting the Scotties Tournament of Hearts is a huge opportunity for a host city to promote itself and generate economic activity for local business, and it’s why it’s such a competitive process for bidding cities,” said Katherine Henderson, Chief Executive Officer of Curling Canada. “Kamloops came in with a bid that was superb in every way; the Tournament Capital of Canada knows how to host major events, as we’ve seen in the past, and I know it’s going to be an amazing Scotties in 2023.”

It will be the 42nd edition of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, extending a partnership with Kruger Products that goes back to 1982 when the first Tournament of Hearts was played in 1982 at Regina.

“Kruger Products is excited that the 2023 Scotties Tournament of Hearts will be staged in Kamloops for the first time,” said Susan Irving, Chief Marketing Officer at Kruger Products. “As a proudly Canadian company with leading brands including Scotties, Cashmere, Purex and SpongeTowels, we are thrilled to continue this long-standing sponsorship for over four decades. All of us at Kruger Products are so pleased to support the exceptional women competing in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and to return to British Columbia, which enthusiastically embraces this wonderful sport.”

The Sandman Centre, which opened in 1992, has a capacity of 5,464 seats, and is the home of the Western Hockey League’s Kamloops Blazers. It’s located near the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers, a short walk north of the city’s downtown core.

“I am so pleased on behalf of my Council and membership to be extending a warm welcome to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts that will be held here in Kamloops, which is located on the direct unceded ancestral lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc,” said Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir from the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc. “We are proud to be one of 17 First Nation campfires within Secwepemcúlecw (Shuswap Nation). We are honoured and hope that you enjoy your event, and that participants and guests will have the opportunity to experience the beauty of these ancestral lands.”

The Sandman Centre in Kamloops also played host to the 2014 Tim Hortons Brier. (Photo, Curling Canada/Michael Burns)

While it will be the first time the Scotties has been played in Kamloops, it certainly won’t be the first major curling event in the city in B.C.’s Interior region. Most recently, Kamloops hosted the 2014 Tim Hortons Brier, won by Alberta’s Team Kevin Koe. It also hosted the Tim Hortons Brier in 1996, with Manitoba’s Jeff Stoughton coming out on top.

Additionally, Kamloops hosted the World Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships in 1998, with Canada’s Team Wayne Middaugh claiming the men’s gold medal and Sweden’s Team Elisabet Gustaffson taking the women’s gold.

“Kamloops has had a rich tradition with curling events, and we know that this one will be no exception,” said Mayor Ken Christian of the City of Kamloops. “We are beyond thrilled with the opportunity to again showcase our City and to have been selected to host this prestigious championship.”

Upon hosting the 2023 Scotties, Kamloops will be just the fifth city that has hosted all four major Season of Champions events — the Tim Hortons Brier, the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the World Men’s Championship and the World Women’s Championship. The others are Winnipeg, Brandon, Man., Saint John, N.B., and Lethbridge, Alta.

Other significant national curling events in Kamloops were the Home Hardware Canada Cup from 2003 through 2008; the 2013 U SPORTS Canadian university championships; the 1986 Canadian Mixed Championship; the 1971 Canadian Junior Men’s Championship and the 1970 Canadian Senior Men’s Championship.

“This signature event will highlight our amazing city and the people who work tirelessly to elevate the sporting experience for athletes, sponsors and visitors,” said Beverley DeSantis, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Kamloops. “The economic benefit to Kamloops and surrounding centres cannot be understated and we are so grateful to have been chosen to host the 2023 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.”

It will be the ninth time the Canadian women’s curling championship has been played in British Columbia. The most recent edition was the 2018 Scotties in Penticton, where Manitoba’s Team Jennifer Jones prevailed. Other B.C.-hosted Canadian women’s championships were in 2009 and 1974 at Victoria (won by Team Jones and Saskatchewan’s Team Emily Farnham respectively); 2000 and 1983 at Prince George (won by B.C.’s Team Kelley Law and Nova Scotia’s Team Penny LaRocque respectively); 1997 and 1966 at Vancouver (won by Saskatchewan’s Sandra Schmirler and Alberta’s Gail Lee respectively); and in 1989 at Kelowna (won by Team Canada’s Team Heather Houston).

“Kamloops has a well-earned reputation for hosting first-class championships in all sports, and its history with major curling events is well-known,” said Scott Braley, Executive Director and CEO of Curl BC. I have every confidence that the 2023 Scotties will be a huge success, on and off the ice.”

The winner of the 2023 Scotties Tournament of Hearts not only will represent Canada at the 2023 World Women’s Curling Championship (location to be announced by the World Curling Federation, the winning team also will play at the 2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts as Team Canada.

The first entry into the 2023 Scotties will be decided on Feb. 6 in Thunder Bay, Ont., as the 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts winner is decided that day, and will play as Team Canada in Kamloops.

Full event ticket packages are expected to go on sale during the coming weeks. Customers are encouraged to sign up for Curling Canada’s e-newsletter at curling.ca to receive presale information.

Volunteer opportunities also will be available later this year. Go to curling.ca/volunteer to sign up to receive updates on volunteering for the 2023 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

TSN/RDS2 , the official broadcast partner of Curling Canada’s Season of Champions, will televise all of the action from Kamloops.

The Upcoming Season

Curling leagues:

Monday Senior Selects 10:00am

Monday Stick League 1:00pm

Monday Open Doubles 6:30pm

Tuesday Rockettes 9:30am

Tuesday Mixed 4:30pm

Tuesday Mens 6:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:15pm

Wednesday Open Seniors 10:00am

Wednesday Mixed 5:00pm

Wednesday Ladies 5:30pm, 7:15pm

Thursday Rockettes 9:30am

Thursday Mens 6:45pm

Friday Open Seniors 10:00am

Friday Mixed 6:00pm, 8:15pm

Sunday Night Mixed Nisei 6:30pm

Ladies Bonspiel: November 26, 27, 28

Christmas Break: starts December 23

BC Provincials at Sports Centre: January 4 – 9, 2022

Start of League Play: January 9, 2022

Mixed Bonspiel: February 25, 26, 27, 2022

Sportsman’s Bonspiel: March 10, 11, 12, 13, 2022

Ice Melt, Keg Emptying, Hello Summer Spiel March 25, 26, 27, 2022

Make your plans.

COVID and Communicable Disease Related Updates

Return to Curling Protocols

Current health guidelines continue to be modified based on updated guidance from the Provincial Health Officer, Interior Health Authority, viaSport, Curling Canada, and Curl BC.

THE KAMLOOPS CURLING CLUB IS COMMITTED:

To the health & well-being of our members and customers playing our sport at the community level in a safe environment to the satisfaction of local authorities.
To the health & well-being of our fans attending our sanctioned events.
To the health & well-being of our athletes in their training and competitive opportunities including field of play safety.
To unequivocal cooperation with the federal, provincial & territorial, and municipal governments and any Health Authority.
To be flexible to customize return to play plans in any jurisdiction.

VACCINE IMMUNIZATION

Following the PHO’s announcement on August 24th 2021, all curlers and visitors born in 2009 or earlier (12+) will need to show proof of at least one COVID-19 vaccination by September 13, 2021, and full immunization by October 24, 2021. Proof of vaccination will be demonstrated using the BC vaccine card website in accordance with direction by the PHO.

As per updated guidance from the PHO, there are no exceptions for curlers or visitors who are medically exempt from vaccination.

Little Rockers (U-12): All little rockers will be required to wear a mask in all common areas. It is recommended little rockers wear a mask on the ice. This aligns with the PHO’s updated mask policy announced on August 24, 2021. Little rockers are restricted to Saturday’s 9:00am to 12:00pm (Junior League).

MASK MANDATE

The Kamloops Curling Club requires all curlers, visitors, and staff to wear masks in all common areas including the lobby, pro shop, change rooms, washrooms, leading to your sheet of ice, and leading to your seat in the lounge. Masks are required in the lounge when not seated, including in the bar line and when leaving the facility.

Curlers are permitted to remove their mask during on ice play or practice.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

The Kamloops Curling Club strongly recommends curlers physically distance on the ice as well as everywhere else in the building.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

The Kamloops Curling Club will be following all of the Provincial Health Orders and guidelines relating to food and beverage.

WAIVERS, LIABILITY, AND INSURANCE

Part of your registration requires that you digitally sign a Declaration of Compliance for COVID-19 and a Waiver / Assumption of Risk form.
If you do not sign these forms, you will be unable to curl at the Kamloops Curling Club.

CLEANING PROTOCOLS

The Kamloops Curling Club will maintain regular cleaning protocols, including extra attention to disinfecting high-touch surfaces.

We will provide hand sanitizer, disinfectants and paper towels in the ice shed, lounge and viewing areas as well as access to soap and paper towels in the washrooms.

CURLING EQUIPMENT

The Kamloops Curling Club has rental equipment (brooms and sliders) for those who require it. Please use the spray bottles of disinfectant and paper towel to disinfect the rental equipment.

Curling stones: spray bottles of disinfectant and paper towel will also be provided on each sheet for teams to properly disinfect rock handles before use.

LOCKER ROOMS / WASHROOMS

1. Men’s and ladies locker rooms and washrooms will re-open as normal. Masks are mandatory in these areas.

LOUNGE

It is recommendation that you only sit with your team and there is no table hopping. Masks must be worn until you are sitting at your table.

NEW NORMAL GUIDELINES

No handshakes, instead give a friendly wave or broom tap.

As mentioned, things can change based on new health guidelines. Modified rules could be implemented such as a mask mandate on the ice, only 1 sweeper, etc. There will be no fee reimbursements for curlers who cannot adapt to updated modifications.

BONSPIELS

Our normal curling Bonspiels are scheduled for the 2021-2022 season. We hope that they will be “normal”, but, of course they too could be subject to changes based on the Provincial Health Orders in place at the time.

The health and well-being of our members, guests and employees is our top priority and we are following all directions and guidelines from the BC Government. In support of the Communicable Disease precautions we may make some changes to the way the game is played, along with the services we offer. We appreciate the understanding and discipline of everyone following these guidelines so we can keep everyone healthy, safe and curling.

Membership and League Registration