Excitement is already building for the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling stop in North Bay this October.
Rick Miller, co-chair, says since the announcement Tuesday he has received emails from people across the province looking to volunteer at the event.
Miller says this event is good news for curling fans, but also the local economy.
“There’s a lot of people coming here, we’re in a good location, a lot of people can drive in,” he says. “They’re staying in hotels, eating in restaurants and shopping in stores. That’s good for all of us.”
Miller says they’re hoping to surpass the $4.1 million in economic impact the previous Grand Slam event, the Masters, brought to the area in 2019.
They sold 37,000 tickets at that event and are looking to top 40,000 this time around.
The top 16 men’s and top 16 women’s teams from around the world will compete at the season-opening event locally this fall.
Mark Brown, co-chair, says tour organizers like what North Bay has to offer.
“They’re obviously quite excited to come back here. They understand the support we get from the community, spectators and businesses as well,” he says. “It is a shining star that we’re at the top of the list.“
The Boost National goes Oct. 4-9 at Memorial Gardens.