Nunavut to Host First Ever National Sport Championship
Monday, March 10, 2008 Source: Canadian Curling Association
March 10, 2008
A major development in the territory of Nunavut occurred today when the Canadian Curling Association (CCA) announced that it will be the first sport association to host a national championship (summer or winter) in Nunavut.
The 2009 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship, presented by First Air, will be held at the Arniatok Arena in Iqaluit from November 9 – 16, 2008. This will mark the 46th edition of the Canadian Mixed, a championship which began in Toronto in 1964 and won a leading nine times by Alberta, including the 2008 edition played last November in Calgary.
“We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to be a sport leader in Nunavut and be able to showcase our great sport to Iqaluit and Nunavut,” said Greg Stremlaw, Chief Executive Officer of the CCA. “We want to work closely with the communities of the north and have worked hard to create this opportunity which will only help grow the sport in Nunavut and give further opportunities for aboriginal peoples to participate. Nunavut has one of the highest per capita ratios of young Canadians in our country and the hosting of this event will promote our product to an integral demographic for our future.”
Hunter Tootoo, MLA Iqaluit Centre, stated, “I would like to sincerely thank the CCA for showing the leadership to select Iqualuit as the host for the 2009 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship. I know the city of Iqaluit will put on a first-class event for this first national championship ever to be held here in Nunavut. This presents a chance to get our communities more involved with curling, both recreationally and beyond.”
Elisapee Sheutiapik, the Mayor of Iqaluit, echoed similar sentiments, “As Mayor of the City of Iqaluit, I am ecstatic that the CCA wishes to host the 2009 Canadian Mixed in Iqaluit. This would be the first event of its kind in our city and the benefits to the city and its residents will be tremendous. I am extremely excited about this opportunity.”
First Air will be the presenting sponsor of the Mixed and was instrumental in allowing the championship to be placed in Iqaluit. The company’s significant assistance enabled the CCA to maintain its budget while being fiscally prudent with its site selection.
“It does not take a big community to host a national championship – just a community with a big heart…and Iqaluit certainly has that!” proclaimed First Air President, Jim Ballingall.
Similar to last year, two members of the winning team will then represent Canada at the 2009 world mixed doubles championship, slated for April 17-25 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Skip Dean Ross and third Susan O’Connor, who teamed to win the 2008 Canadian Mixed in Calgary last November, are currently representing Canada at the inaugural world mixed doubles championship, taking place in Vierumäki, Finland, March 8-16.
With today’s announcement, the Championship curling events confirmed to date for the 2008-09 season in Canada are as follows:
2009 Canadian Mixed, November 9-16, 2008, Iqaluit, Nunavut
2008 Continental Cup, December 18-21, Camrose, AB
2009 M&M Meat Shops Canadian Juniors, January 31-February 8, Salmon Arm, BC
2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, February 21-March 1, Victoria, BC
2009 World Juniors, March 5-15, Vancouver, BC
2009 Tim Hortons Brier, March 7-15, Calgary, AB
2009 Canada Cup, March 18-22, Yorkton, SK
2009 Ford World Men’s, April 4-12, Moncton, NB
