Napanee to host Tankard

Belleville Intelligencer
January 14, 2009

The premier men's curling event in Ontario is coming to the greater Quinte region.

Napanee will host the 2010 Ontario men's curling championships - The Tankard - at the Strathcona Paper Centre.

Doug Bakes, executive directorof the Ontario Curling Association, was in Napanee Tuesday to announce that the town has been chosen as host community of next year's Tankard.

"The OCA looks forward to Napanee hosting the men's championships in 2010" said Bakes.  "The Napanee and District Curling Club has a very active membership that should form the basis of the volunteer committee to ensure the success of the event."

Napanee recently hosted the 2008 Canadian U18 women's hockey championships and mayor Gord Schermerhorn said winning the bid to host The Tankard was proof that Napanee was putting itself on the national map as a viable host for major sporting events.

"We couldn't be more thrilled," said Schermerhorn.  "This is a wonderful opportunity for Greater Napanee.  It will have good economic impact and leave a mark on our community.  With the success of the women's U18 hockey championships and now this announcement, Napanee is fast becoming a hotbed for large-scale sporting events."

The town will work in partnership with the Napanee and District Curling Club to host the event.  Stephen Paul is Napanee host committee chairman.

"This is an exciting time for our community," said Paul.  "A strong local curling club, great community support and an outstanding venue were all factors in theis event being awarded to Napanee.

"Curling fans accross Ontario will be treated to high calibre curling and a great time in Napanee."

The 2009 Tankard takes place Feb. 2-8 in Woodstock.  The team skipped by Glenn Howard of Coldwater will be looking to defend their title.