Organizers of the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling are once again calling the event a big success.
Mark Brown, chair of the organizing committee for the high profile curling event, says the event broke attendance records by more than 12,000.
Brown says the event sold more than 37,000 seats which eclipses the previous Grand Slam of Curling event mark of 24,000.
Organizers along with players were shocked at the attendance numbers, even for the early 8 a.m. draws.
“There would be nobody in the arena at most venues they go to literally like 20 to 100 people,” said Brown about early morning draws at other Grand Slam events.
“We were bringing in anywhere from 600 to 800 people for the mornings at 8 a.m. and then that just fills up throughout the day. We were averaging 1700 to 1800 in the afternoon and then over 3,000 in the evening draws and of course, the semi-finals and finals were pretty substantial attendance so the players were thrilled with the attendance.”
See related: Dunstone downs Gushue for first Grand Slam title at Masters
See related: Fleury finishes on top
Brown was thrilled at the support the crowd gave to all the teams that participated.
“It was similar to the worlds, whenever a team was done - win or lose - they were given an ovation as they went off the ice in appreciation for their efforts and the fact that they came to North Bay and participated in this event,” he said.
That success likely means North Bay will continue to be high on the radar for future high profile curling events.
“We are definitely looking at what we can do in the future, I obviously cannot divulge any information at this time as to what that might be but there are a couple of events we are looking at in the next four year period that we will get together with our host committee and have a summary meeting on this event and we will take a look at what we want to take on in the future,” said Brown.
“We will put some feelers out to both Curling Canada and Sportsnet again, we were very pleased with the Grand Slam event and see what we can do over the next three or four years but I can guarantee you something will be coming back.”
