The Okotoks Curling Club’s request to host the 2014 men’s curling championship has been denied.
Ron McLaren, chairman of the Okotoks club’s 2014 championship committee, said in a press release the Alberta Curling Association wanted the club to also host the women’s championship in the next few years after 2014.
“It basically came down to our being able to host both the men’s and ladies’ provincial championships in the Centennial Arena in subsequent years,” McLaren said.
He said the club had received the request earlier this year.
It was felt hosting both the men’s and ladies’ championships would put a strain on stakeholders.
“While we considered approaching the Town with this, based on the rental costs assessed by the Town and the Foothills Centennial Centre Foundation, we determined the ladies’ event represented too much risk for our club,” McLaren said.
“As such we moved forward based on the men’s event only, which we lost out to a community able to host both as outlined above.”
He said the Okotoks group is disappointed with the decision.
“It is my view that this event would have been both a technical and financial success,” he said. “In addition to the curling club, the town and its businesses would have truly benefitted. We all know what a great community Okotoks is, and how its residents support events such as this.”
The application was submitted as a result of the highly-successful 2011 men’s championship hosted in High River.
That championship featured both the defending Olympic champion, Kevin Martin, and the world champion, Kevin Koe.
