Surging COVID-19 cases creating uncertainty means a national curling championship will no longer be played in Timmins this year, Curling Canada has announced.
The 2022 Canadian Under 18 Championships that were set to be played in February at the McIntyre Curling Club are being postponed due to the uncertainty of the pandemic.
Because there is no other ice availability at the club for the rest of the season, the 2022 event will no longer be held in Timmins. Curling Canada is looking for another location for the tournament.
The 2023 championships will be held in Timmins.
“We understand these are difficult circumstances for Curling Canada, so we were fully supportive of the decision,” said Steve Meunier, who co-chairs the Timmins committee with Tony Chilton, in a news release. “We now can hit the pause button and start preparing for the 2023 event and make sure that every player, coach and family member has an amazing experience in Timmins.”
Talks with local, regional and national health authorities are ongoing for the rest of Curling Canada's championship events this year.
“We understand the importance of the Under-18 championships and how crucial this event is for developing our next generation of athletes,” said Katherine Henderson, Curling Canada chief executive officer.
“We’re grateful to the host committee in Timmins for their understanding, and we will continue to work on giving our under-18 athletes an opportunity to show their talent this year.”
