Sydney to Welcome Canada’s Best Curlers

Sydney is set to host Canada’s top female curlers in 2019 after being awarded the Scotties Tournament of Hearts Canadian women’s curling championship.

The event will deliver significant national exposure and generate revenue for businesses throughout Cape Breton.

Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine announced a $150,000 investment today, Nov. 3, to support Sydney during a joint event held by Curling Canada and the host committee at Centre 200.

“Being selected? to host this prestigious event underlines Sydney’s ability to host national and international events as well as its skillful volunteers and its outstanding facilities,” said Mr. Glavine. “The community is ready to put on an amazing spectacle of the finest in women’s curling, local entertainment and Cape Breton hospitality and the province is proud to be part of it.”

The 2019 tournament will be held from Feb. 16 to 24 and features a 16-team field including the 14 provincial and territorial champions along with defending champion Team Canada. The 16th team will be determined in a wild-card, play-in game the day before the round-robin action begins.

“Hosting the 2019 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Nova Scotia creates significant profile around our sport,” said Virginia Jackson, executive director of the Nova Scotia Curling Association. “We look forward to growing our sport through inspiring the next generation of female curlers as well as developing our coaches and officials.” 

Nova Scotia last hosted the Scotties in 1992.

“To receive the confidence of Curling Canada to host the country’s top women curlers has instilled a sense of pride in our community,” said Paul MacDonald, vice-chair of the Sydney Host Committee. “We are ready for this opportunity and are looking forward to hosting the best Scotties event ever.”

Investment in community and cultural organizations and developing a government-wide strategic approach to events are vital parts of Nova Scotia’s Culture Action Plan?. The plan is online atnovascotia.ca/culture/.