THUNDER BAY — Try, try and try again.
It’s age-old advice and it worked out wonderfully for local organizers of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Thunder Bay was originally chosen to host the 2021 event, but COVID-19 forced the event inside the Calgary bubble.
Curling Canada gave them another shot in 2022, but the pandemic reared its ugly head once more, meaning the Scotties could go ahead, but not as planned, with fans largely not allowed inside Fort William Gardens, except on championship weekend when a few hundred volunteers and family members were allowed to watch in person.
At the time, the governing body for the sport in Canada promised they’d do their best to ensure Thunder Bay got another shot.
For the past 10 days the top curlers in the nation invaded the Gardens, the event coming to a close on Sunday night when Rachel Homan, the defending champion, led Team Canada to a 6-1 win over four-time champion Kerri Einarson.
The Scotties, by every measure, were a huge success.
More than 54,400 fans poured into the venue, topped by 3,442 who witnessed the finale.
What a week, said event co-chair Diane Imrie, as Team Canada celebrated their win with family, friends and fans.
“It was an incredible event. A shout out to all of our volunteers, all of the fans who showed up. This place was rocking as we hoped it would be and it was just a fantastic event.”
Praise came from all corners, including the athletes who, ice conditions aside, appeared to love what Thunder Bay had to offer.
The Original 16 Patch, was full to overflowing almost every night, the curlers taking time to take selfies and sign autographs with fans.
It was a relief to be able to present a full-fledged Scotties, said co-chair Rick Lang, who coached Team Northern Ontario to a 4-4 record, two wins shy of a potential playoff berth.
“Curling Canada knew this was going to work here and we really got slammed twice with COVID. It’s been a five-year project. We’re really thrilled with that and finally seeing this great crowd here and the outcome,” Lang said.
“We had great support from the community for the past 10 days, so we’re really proud of what we pulled off.”
Having two Northern Ontario players still in the hunt on the final day also helped the excitement. Team Canada third Tracy Fleury won a second straight gold medal, and Team Nova Scotia’s Karlee Everist, who hails from Thunder Bay, captured bronze.
“It was great to cheer them on into these championship finals,” Imrie said. “It just added to the excitement. This is a curling town and I knew they would show up. One of the things the athletes have been saying, that’s so wonderful, is these fans are educated curlers and they’re cheering for every victory and every good shot,” Imrie said.
Fleury said the city did a great job hosting.
“We really enjoyed our week here,’ she said. “It was fun to hear some moose calls out there, for sure.”
Everist, playing in her third Scotties, said reaching the podium was a thrill, and doing it at home made it all that much sweeter, her parents in the stands watching.
“This crowd was absolutely amazing, the cheers, the support. It was a dream come true.”
Lang said the city is probably too small to host a Brier, but could consider going after the Canadians juniors or another similar sized event.
