P.G and Winnipeg Battling For Pre-Olympic Curling Deal

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C. – Despite rumours to the contrary, there is an effort underway in Manitoba to land the pre-Olympic curling trials. (not to be confused with the Olympic trials which will be held in either Kamloops or Edmonton)

There has been a report circulating that there was no “bid” for the event by  Winnipeg, an event for which Prince George has agreed to post $300 thousand dollars .  Part of the pitch to get that money indicated Winnipeg was in the running and already had government support.

Well, Winnipeg is, very much, Prince George’s competition for the event. 

Ian Staniloff, the  head of the Manitoba Curling  Association  says  a recent report indicating there  has been no “bid “ for the  event from Winnipeg is technically true,  but out of context “Curling is different than hockey, there is no ‘bid’ process, rather  you let the Canadian Curling Association know you are interested,  so there is an expression of  interest.”   He won’t give any details, but says the Manitoba Curling Association has expressed an interest.  Staniloff says it wouldn’t be appropriate to discuss the funding aspects, but says there have been talks with various levels of government.

Events Prince George requested, and has received approval for $300 thousand dollars in funding for the event, saying it was required by the Canadian Curling Association.   

The November 2009 event is expected to pump nearly $2 million dollars into the economy of  its host city and would see twelve men’s and twelve women’s teams   take part in a week long event.  That will narrow it down to the 8 teams in total that will  move on to the Olympic trials that will be held in either Edmonton or Kamloops. 

The Canadian Curling Association is to make the announcement next week at the Brier  as to who will host the  "pre-trials"  trials.  The Chair of the Prince George "bid" committee,  Neil King, will be attending the  Brier for the announcement, just in case there is good news..

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