Image Credit: CFJC Today

By James Peters

Scotties Tournament of Hearts

Scotties Celebration Centre to be held at Kamloops Curling Club after outcry over Memorial Arena booking

Oct 25, 2022 | 1:57 PM

KAMLOOPS — After an outcry from parents of young athletes, the City of Kamloops has decided not to host the Celebration Centre for the upcoming Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Memorial Arena.

In a news release issued Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 25), the city says the centre will instead be hosted at the nearby Kamloops Curling Club location.

Initially, city officials announced the event would take Memorial Arena out of circulation as a local ice sheet for the months of February and March, 2023.

Parents and user groups pushed back, saying Kamloops has a shortage of available ice sheets even when Memorial is operating normally.

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Tuesday, the city reversed course, saying its initial decision was incorrect.

“This should not have happened. We value our relationships with all of our local sport organizations and regret the breakdown of communication that led to this point,” said City of Kamloops Community and Protective Services Director Byron McCorkell in the release. “We are happy to work with Canada Curling and the Kamloops Curling Club to find a solution that will accommodate this event and continue to support local youth. We look forward to an exceptional event.”

“Kamloops Minor Hockey appreciates the work and support of City staff to find an alternate venue for the Scotties tournament and we look forward to a strong relationship between KMHA and the City of Kamloops moving forward,” added Riley Woodland, Director of Hockey Operations, Kamloops Minor Hockey Association.

The Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the national women’s curling championship, will take place at Sandman Centre February 17 to 26, 2023.