North Bay an underdog for major sports tourism award...but

City of North Bay sports tourism may get a giant shot in the arm on Wednesday.  

The city is up for a huge sports tourism award, with the announcement coming down in a coup[le of days.

It's been named a finalist for the "Canadian Sports Tourism Alliance Canadian Sport Event of the Year" award.

Larry Tougas, Sports Tourism Coordinator, heard about the award and with the help of city and local curling officials, put in a nomination for the job the city did hosting the Ford World Women’s Curling Championship last spring.   

“Just to be in the game and having the opportunity to be up for one of the most prestigious awards and biggest award,” said Tougas.  

North Bay, in the $1 million dollar budget and up category, is one of three finalists for the award.  

The Gateway City faces stiff competition from Edmonton, up for the job they did hosting the 2018 Grey Cup and Grey Cup festival, and Vancouver for hosting the 2018 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships.

“I believe in David and Goliath,” said Tougas.   

“I think we have momentum from the 'feel factor' of what Jennifer Jones said about our community. From the opening ceremonies to the closing ceremonies everyone was captured by this event. I think that is going to go in our favour and hope they give us the small town kudos for that,  because, compared to the other competitors, we are a very small town.”

Dave Bennett, one of the key organizers of the 2018 Ford World Women’s Curling Championship in 2018, says regardless of the award, the event last spring was something he will never forget.  

“As we stand here today and remember a year ago when this place was abuzz. There were so many people from all over the place that came to North Bay and we just can’t thank the citizens of North Bay enough and also those fans that drove and drove to be here and really showed the teams that they really appreciated them being here,” said Bennett.  

See related: Curling set to take over the Gateway City

Tougas believes being a finalist for this major sports tourism award is key.  He believes winning it could help elevate North Bay's sports tourism image to another level.