The City of Kamloops says it will now use the Kamloops Curling Club as a beer garden and entertainment venue for the duration of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts next February.
It comes after outrage from Kamloops Minor Hockey Association over the lack of consultation as the initial plans were to use Memorial Arena for the Scotties Patch fan zone, effectively cancelling all ice times in February and March.
A letter sent to KMHA earlier this month, that was first reported on by iNFOnews, informed them of the plans to use Memorial Arena as the entertainment venue for the Scotties, similar to what was done when Kamloops hosted the Brier in 2014.
“This should not have happened,” Byron McCorkell, the City’s Community and Protective Services Director, said, in a statement Tuesday. “We value our relationships with all of our local sport organizations and regret the breakdown of communication that led to this point.”
“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.”
Reached for comment Tuesday, KMHA Board Chair, Nathan Bosa, told NL News that the Scotties entertainment venue had been moved to the Kamloops Curling Club with no loss of ice time for the hockey association.
At this time, it is not clear when that decision to move was made.
In its statement, the City says it is “reconfirming” its commitment to local sport while also reassuring user groups that their ice time at Memorial Arena will not be “sacrificed” to host the Scotties.
“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,” KMHA Director of Hockey Operations, Riley Woodland, said, in the release from the City.
Ron Nordin, the General Manager of the Kamloops Curling Club, was quoted as saying the Scotties is a significant event for both for the sport of curling and for the Kamloops economy.
“We are happy we can be part of a solution that will allow kids to continue playing hockey and showcase Kamloops to the nation,” Nordin said.
Outgoing mayor Ken Christian told NL News in January that the Scotties will bring with it a $5-million economic spinoff to the Kamloops economy.
Curling Canada says the Patch fan zone is a place for fans and curlers to meet and mingle with food, beverages and live entertainment during tournaments like the Scotties and the Brier. They note it is up to the host city to find a suitable venue.
While the Scotties is scheduled to be held from February 17 to 26, 2023, the reason why all of the ice at Memorial Arena was to be removed in February and March was not clear.
NL News has questions into the City asking about the “communication breakdown” and the initial reason for the loss of two months of ice time.
