During a recent presentation to the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce Yorkton Mayor Bob Maloney announced that the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Series will be returning to the city.
“It’s huge,” Maloney told Yorkton This Week. “… It’s good for the City.”
Maloney said the event means area curling fans get to see some of the top teams in the world, and with the teams and fans in the city businesses such as hotels, and restaurants benefit.
“It’s an opportunity for the curling community in the area to come out and enjoy world class curling,” he said.
That is why the City is guaranteeing $150,000, which Maloney said he is confident they will not ultimately be needed.
“We’ll get the money back,” he said, adding that has been the case in the past.
Paul Keys, general manager of the Gallagher Centre said everything is basically set, although the final documents still need inked.
“We’ve agreed in principle,” he said.
Keys said the event will be similar to past Pinty’s events in the city, although this time it will be ‘The National’ held in Yorkton Dec. 10-15, 2019.
“The field for this event features the top 15 men’s and top 15 women’s teams in the world based on the World Curling Tour’s Order of Merit total ranking system,” explained a notice forwarded to Yorkton This Week by Keys.
“Both men’s and women’s divisions are split into three pools of five teams for round robin play. At the conclusion of the round robin, the top eight teams qualify for the playoffs to determine each champion.
“The winners of this event will receive an invitation to the season-ending Humpty’s Champions Cup, which showcases all of the winners from major events in curling.”
