Edmonton to stage 2013 Tim Hortons Brier

The City of Edmonton will stage the 2013 Tim Hortons Brier, it was announced today by the Canadian Curling Association (CCA). The Tim Hortons Brier, presented by Monsanto, will be played March 2-10 at Rexall Place. It will mark the sixth time that Edmonton has hosted the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship, the last in 2005, and the 13th time it has been staged in Alberta, since the event began in 1927 in Toronto. Edmonton joins Calgary, Halifax, Saskatoon and Toronto as the only cities to host the Brier on at least six occasions. It also will be the fourth major curling event held in the city in the last eight years, following the inaugural Tim Hortons Brier in 2005, the Ford World Men’s in 2007 and the Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings (Canadian Curling Trials) in 2009. In fact, event attendance records were established at all three. “The City of Edmonton has proven to be one of the most successful hosts for the Season of Champions properties over the past decade,” stated Greg Stremlaw, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Curling Association. “The success of the 2005 Brier still resonates with curling fans across Canada as the largest attended curling event in history. As the most recent major curling event hosted in Edmonton, the 2009 Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings was yet another stellar event that served as the springboard for the selection of our Olympic curling teams in 2010. “Building on these results, the CCA is expecting the 2013 Tim Hortons Brier to be a massive event and we look forward to putting on a show for all spectators to remember.” In 2005, a record 281,985 fans attended the Brier. In 2007, the World Men’s attracted 184,970 fans, the best-ever for a men’s only world event, while the 2009 Trials drew a record 175,852. “In 1973, I was throwing rocks at the old Edmonton Hillcrest Country Club when Danny Fink and his team from Manitoba stepped out onto the ice next to me to practice for the Edmonton Brier,” said Mark Johnson, host committee chair for the 2013 Tim Hortons Brier and also the 2010 Canadian Seniors and 2011 World Seniors champion. “I was in awe watching them throw and then when I attended my first Brier game only days later, I was hooked on the Brier dream. It took me 33 years before I was able to fulfill that dream and represent Alberta in the 2006 Regina Brier. Believe me, I soaked up every minute of that amazing experience. “I can’t tell you how much of an honour it is to now have the opportunity to be the Chairman of the 2013 Tim Hortons Brier. Edmonton and the surrounding communities have an excellent reputation for supporting and hosting major events. I fully expect the calibre of play at the Brier to be the best. The Brier offers players the unique experience of representing their province or territory in a national championship and with the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games taking place not long after, get ready, curling fans, because it’s going to be a great show!” Tim Hortons began its title sponsorship of the Brier in 2005 and earlier this year extended its agreement through 2014. “The 2013 season marks Tim Hortons’ ninth year as title sponsor of the Brier – a title that we are very proud of,” said Bill Moir, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Tim Hortons. “The Brier is a true Canadian tradition and it’s our pleasure to cheer them on through another championship.” Tickets for the 2013 Tim Hortons Brier, the 84th edition of the championship, are expected to go on sale in February of 2012. The winning team will represent Canada at the Ford World Men’s Curling Championship, March 30-April 7 in Victoria, British Columbia. Edmonton also hosted the Brier in 1954, 1973, 1987 and 1999. “Monsanto Canada remains a committed sponsor of Canadian Curling Association events because curling is a sport that is embraced by our farm customers and rural communities across the country,” said Trish Jordan, Public and Industry Affairs Director with Monsanto Canada, based in Winnipeg. “We remember the excitement of the Roar of the Rings in 2009, which was also hosted by the City of Edmonton, and we look forward to returning to Edmonton for the 2013 Tim Hortons Brier.” The Brier will be televised exclusively and extensively in Canada by TSN, from the round robin, through the Page Playoffs, semi-final, bronze medal and gold medal games. The Brier has been played in 31 cities across Canada, from Victoria to St. John’s. Manitoba has won a leading 27 Briers, after last season’s win by Winnipeg’s Jeff Stoughton in London. Alberta is next with 25 victories, the latest by Edmonton’s Kevin Koe in 2010 in Halifax. New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Yukon/Northwest Territories have yet to win. Meanwhile, the 2012 Tim Hortons Brier, presented by Monsanto, will be held March 3-11 at Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon. For further information: Greg Stremlaw Chief Executive Officer Canadian Curling Association Office: 613.834.2076 x 117 Cell: 613.799.9993 [email protected] www.curling.ca Warren Hansen Director, Event Operations and Media Canadian Curling Association Cell: 604.329.9850 [email protected]