THUNDER BAY — Curlers were decked out in costumes and competing to win, all in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Port Arthur Curling Centre had its second annual Pride Spiel that began on Friday.
“It's our second year holding Pride Spiel,” said Trevor Bonot, chair of the Pride Spiel in Thunder Bay.
“Last year we had a big success. We sold out within a month, and this year we did the same.
“It was three weeks of having the entry open and we sold out and had a waitlist, so we expanded. (There) are 36 teams this year with a dozen from out of town. It's really exciting,” he said.
Bonot said the goal is to grow to event, and hold it ever year.
“Hopefully next year we'll be having more teams. We're starting to think of ideas that we can grow it and have more people come from out of town. We're really excited to have it here at the Port Arthur Curling Centre and everyone seems to be having a lot of fun so far.”
It was amazing to see the support, especially from Thunder Bay, he said.
“It feels really good, you know, to be part of the LGBTQ+ community is important to me and to give back to the curling community too.
“I live here and I love curling here and people have always supported me in my competitive curling. So now to be able to give back in a way that is near and dear to my heart is really special, and I'm having a lot of fun doing it too,” Bonot said.
Bonot has travelled and played in events like this one across Canada and in the United States.
“We just didn't have one, so I feel like it was important to bring something like that here and just to have the exposure and to shine a light that we do exist in the in the sport community and it's important to showcase that.”
“Curling is a sport for everyone, you know, everyone's welcome and we're really trying to make an inclusive space here in Thunder Bay. I think just having the Pride Spiel really encompasses all of that.
“Combining sport and inclusivity is really fun and really special, and I think people are enjoying it.”
