Talks of curling bubble in Calgary reportedly in the works
Posted Nov 9, 2020 11:12 am.
Last Updated Nov 9, 2020 11:07 pm.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Curling Canada isn’t commenting on whether a bubble will be established in Calgary to allow major competitions to go ahead, including the Brier and the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
However, the organization is reportedly in talks with the Alberta government.
Economist Moshe Lander said it will bring a couple of hundred extra people into Calgary and provide a bit of an economic boost.
“In that sense then, it’s a positive. It’s not going to save the city, it’s not going to fix the municipal budget, it’s not going to lower anyone’s property taxes.”
The bubble would most likely be created at WinSport in early 2021 and early indications suggest fans would not be permitted.
Despite the success of other bubbles, such as the NHL playoffs in Toronto and Edmonton, Lander points out they didn’t have the massive economic boost that was hoped for.
“The premier was talking about tens of millions of dollars of economic activity, it wasn’t that, it was less than that. For curling, it’s going to be even less.”
The Brier was scheduled to be held in Kelowna in March and the Scotties in Thunder Bay in February.
However, there are reports the northern Ontario city is being forced to call it off because of pandemic restrictions.
WinSport has also been tapped for freestyle skiing events in January and international athletes could be passing through the airport using the new rapid testing system.
WATCH: Calgary bubble could be home to major curling events
