2014 Brier in Kamloops (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

2023 SCOTTIES

Hosting 2023 Scotties completes Kamloops’ curling resumé

Jan 6, 2022 | 3:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops has welcomed the Brier — twice in fact, the first in 1996 when Manitoba’s Jeff Stoughton won at the Riverside Coliseum and then in 2014 at Interior Savings Centre when Kevin Koe’s Alberta rink won the national championship.

The Men’s and Women’s World Curling Championships were in the city in 1998. There have also been Canada Cups that ran consecutively from 2003 to 2008.

However, the one event missing from the city’s resumé was the Scotties, which will be played here next year.

“It’s pretty great. We held the Canada Cup here for a bunch of years, so we have had some major events for ladies here also,” said Karla Thompson from Kamloops who’s played in two Scotties. “I think that all the experience that we’ve gained hosting those events and the Briers will be helpful for when we’re hosting the Scotties. I’m really excited.”

Adding the Scotties to its resume, Kamloops is now in elite company. It will be the second city in the world to host the Brier, Scotties, Men’s Worlds, Women’s Worlds and the Canada Cup.

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“This was the prize we were waiting for, so very happy to complete our roster of national and international curling events right here in Kamloops,” said mayor Ken Christian.

Hours after the announcement, the organizing committee — the same group that put together this week’s B.C. Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships — has been receiving interest from volunteers.

“As soon as the announcement was made, I received three or four emails. People saying I want to be apart of it, put me in, mark me down,” said 2023 Scotties vice-chair Linda Bolton. “Kamloops is already behind the event, so very exciting.”

Looking at the line-up at the B.C. women’s championship this week, namely the Corryn Brown rink from Kamloops, there is a shot hometown players could be represented and would have significant home-ice advantage.

“Even remembering back to when the Brier was here and Jim [Cotter] was playing. I think it was pretty incredible, the support he had behind him. I would hope that if we were to be the representatives, we’d have a similar entourage there. It would be really awesome,” said Brown. “I’m sure regardless Kamloops will come out and support whoever represents B.C., but obviously we’d hope it would be us.”

Thompson, who’s played in two Scotties, including one as a skip in 2016, says playing in next year’s Scotties at home would be even more rewarding.

“Makes it that much more special. More family can come and watch —- hopefully come and watch,” she said. “Playing in front of your hometown and having all that support would be really exciting.”

The Scotties will run from Feb. 17-26, 2023 at the Sandman Centre.