Lethbridge ready to rock the Brier

By Lethbridge Herald on March 3, 2022.

An ice technician scrapes the ice surface on a sheet as crews prepared for the start of the Tim Hortons Brier curling tournament at the Enmax Centre. Herald photo by Ian Martens

Dale Woodard – Lethbridge Herald

The house will be rocking as the 2022 Tim Hortons Brier draws into the Enmax Centre.

What’s better, with the recent lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, it should also be a full house as the games start tonight and run until March 13 when a Canadian men’s curling champion will be crowned.

“It was a big relief,” said Kirk Mearns, vice chair of the Brier Host Committee, Thursday afternoon as the final touches were put on at the Enmax Centre to host the best men’s teams across the country. “We have been in touch with the provincial government on and off for the last year or so, kind of understanding where we would be and what we were doing. When we heard we were going to get to full capacity, it was just an amazing feeling. We will be safe, we will be full and we’ll have a lot of fun. It was a big moment”

It was also big at the box office as ticket sales spiked.

“We’ve probably jumped $300,000 in ticket sales in the first week (after the announcement), especially the final weekend and things like that,” said Mearns. “They were already sold out at half capacity, and then jumped to full capacity right away. You’re going to see a pretty full house here the whole week.”

As such, the excitement level is peaking as the event starts tonight, said Mearns.

“We’re excited about the teams who are coming and we get to be at full capacity. There is going to be crowds in the stands. It’s going to look fantastic on TV (tonight). The Patch is open and we’re going to have a party.”

Nolan Thiessen, executive director of marketing and fan experience with Curling Canada, noted the removal of restrictions means fans will be able to enjoy the full Brier experience for the next nine days.

“They are going to be (have) food and beverages and they’re going to be able to cheer with masks off. We definitely saw a bit of a tick up (of ticket sales), for sure.”

Mearns said there will be no masks required in the stands, but at ice level participants and volunteers will continue to be masked.

“You’ll see the media wearing masks as we interact with the players and the volunteers. But the fans will be able to sit there and enjoy a beer, some popcorn and some fantastic curling.”

That star-studded field kicks things off with the first draw tonight at 6:30 p.m.

“You start off not only locally, where you’ve got Kevin Koe, a four-time Brier champion. He’s trying to set a record for winning his fifth as a skip,” said Thiessen. “The defending champion is also from Alberta with Brendan Bottcher. Then you have the Olympic bronze medalists (Brad Gushue) fresh off a trip home from China. Those three plus another Olympic champion in Brad Jacobs, there are a lot of really good players and we’re going to have a great week with a great champion at the end.”

That high-calibre curling will only grow the sport locally.

“This pinnacle of curling in Canada,” said Mearns, who is also the general manager of the Lethbridge Curling Club. “These are 18 of the best teams you’re going to see. And for our curlers to come and watch them live, our junior curlers are going to be able to sit in the stands and be within 10 or 15 feet of the best curlers there are. It means a lot and it means a lot to the future of curling in this community. I know for a fact when this is over, we will sign up curlers. Our phone will be ringing and the Lethbridge Curling Club will benefit for years to come.”

The Brier Patch will be set up at the Servus Soccer Centre, said Mearns.

“The Patch is really going to be fun. It’s going to be open and there are no restrictions there. We have a slate of bands and entertainment lined up every night. It’s open from 11 in the morning until midnight. I think the licensing is for a little over 1,200 people. It’s family friendly. You don’t have to have a ticket to go to the Patch. If you want to enjoy some curling hospitality, come on down.”

Mearns said the 2022 Brier has about 300 volunteers.

“They will do everything from working over the Patch and most of the ice people here are local people. There is hospitality, 50-50 (ticket) sellers and security, pretty much everything that makes it run outside of the competitors is volunteer-based.”

They’re anticipating a packed house, but Mearns said there are still plenty of tickets left for every draw.

“They will start to go fast, especially in the final weekend and the big night Wednesday night when Alberta plays Team Canada,” he said. “That’s going to be rocking in here. There are lots of tickets for the morning draws. I know it’s 8:30 a.m. and a little early, but it’s the same really good curling at 8:30 in the morning as it is at 6:30 at night. So there are lots of tickets available.”

Those looking for tickets can visit curling.ca or call the Enmax Ticket Centre.

Lethbridge was also the site of the 2019 World Men’s Curling Championship and the 2012 World Women’s Curling Championship.

“We have a volunteer base in this city that just rises to the occasion every time we put this on,” said Mearns. “Our hospitality of our hotels, motels and restaurants, it’s the ability to just welcome Canada and the world to Lethbridge. Curling Canada loves it when we bid on things because they know when they come to Lethbridge, they get an ‘A’ event every time.”

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