Two weeks remain in Penticton’s bid to secure curling’s 2018 Scotties Tournament of Champions and the organizing committee is preparing to host events aimed at securing community support.
The committee will hold two “Rally the Valley” events in Penticton in the coming week. The first takes place Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at The Barking Parrot.
“Committee members will be on hand to answer your questions and accept $100 deposits toward full-event passes,” said bid committee co-chair Kim Kirkham in a press release. “This is a great opportunity for Okanagan residents to find out more about the bid effort and meet other supporters. Stay for a dinner or a drink. At 6 p.m. we’ll have a draw for some fabulous prizes.”
The second event takes place June 16 at Lake City Casino from 5 to 7 p.m. at 21 Lakeshore Dr.
Committee members will also be on hand for this event to answer questions and accept $100 deposits toward full-event passes.
Attendees can enter to win a fantastic basket draw.
Penticton’s tournament bid organizers are trying to sell 1,000 event ticket deposits of $100 by mid-June to have their bid considered by Curling Canada (CC). Sydney, NS is the only other city vying to host the 2018 tournament and is also selling ticket deposits. Full-event passes include access to every match as well as the party in the patch, entertainment, top-rated bands and other festivities.
“We are confident we will put on a first-class event at the South Okanagan Event Centre, but we need the public to get behind this bid with our champion curlers and purchase a full-event pass deposit. We’re only about a third of the way there so far. We really need the community’s support,” said Kirkham, adding the 2018 Scotties tournament of Hearts would bring a major economic boost to the region.
The $100 deposit is refundable if Penticton is unsuccessful in its bid. If Penticton wins the bid, patrons who have made the $100 deposit would have to follow through and buy tickets for the tournament, or their deposit is forfeited. Besides at the rally events, deposits can be made at the Valley First Box Office (at the SOEC) in Penticton, via phone at 1-877-SOEC-TIX (763-2849) or online at rockthebid.com.