Lethbridge is looking to host the 2025 Canadian Olympic Curling trials. City council unanimously approved a motion from the city’s economic standing policy committee to provide a letter of support and $900,000 to support the Lethbridge Curling Club’s application.
The money will only be spent if the bid to host is successful and is set to come out of the major community event grant budget.
Over the past 15 years, the city has hosted all but one elite curling event, with the Roar of the Rings being the only missing. The event will feature both men’s and women’s curling and the winners will earn spots at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
“As we witnessed with the 2022 Tim Hortons Brier, as well as all the other elite curling action held in Lethbridge, there would be significant social and economic benefits to hosting an event of this magnitude,” said Mayor Blaine Hyggen. “The estimated economic impact of the Canadian Curling Trials event is anticipated to rival the 2022 Brier, which saw more than $10 million in economic activity through areas such as hotels, restaurants and shopping in the Lethbridge area. Council is proud to help support this bid.”
During the committee meeting where the recommendation was sent to council, there was discussion about the available funds in the grant budget. If the bid is successful, it would take up $900,000 of the $1.77 million available for major event grants.
READ MORE: Lethbridge Curling Club hoping to host 2025 Olympic trials
Bids to host must be submitted by the end of June and Curling Canada will announce the host city in November this year.
“The Lethbridge Curling Club would like to thank Lethbridge city council and administration for their support of our 2025 Canadian Olympic Trials bid,” says Kirk Mearns, general manager of the Lethbridge Curling Club. “These events inject millions of dollars into the local economy, plus they create a sense of civic pride that contributes to our sharing common memories, emotions and beliefs with other people. They also help build the sport by attracting young people and new adult curlers, as well as inspire upcoming athletes in curling.”
The curling club says it has already received letters of support from stakeholders in the community, including the Enmax Centre, the Lethbridge Hurricanes, the Lethbridge Soccer Centre, the Lethbridge Lodging Association, Tourism Lethbridge, Lethbridge Sport Council and Curling Alberta.
