By Khang Nguyen

Scotties Tournament will ‘light up’ the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club

Nov 6, 2015 | 4:01 PM

The Prince Albert Golf & Curling Club (PAGCC) is preparing for the province’s top curlers.

The 2016 Viterra Scotties Tournament of Hearts Women’s Provincials will be held at the PAGCC from the Jan. 27 to Jan. 31 2016.

The tournament’s ‘light up the house’ theme comes after renovations to the arena’s lighting and sheets.

Bryan Rindal, co-chair of the event, said the lighting is four times brighter than was previously installed.

“It’s a vast improvement. You literally had trouble seeing the broom at the other end,” Rindal said. “The ice itself looks whiter, and brighter.

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“There used to be places where it would leak through and you’d get sort of that grey, not real pleasant looking ice out there,” he said about the new end-to-end sheets.

After hosting both the Women’s and Men’s Northerns last year, Rindal said it made sense CurlSask chose Prince Albert to host the event.

“You have to prove yourself … I don’t remember P.A. not pulling one off, but it was a huge stepping stone towards making a natural progression that our club would be asked to host again this year,” he said.

While the tournament will clearly have a positive impact on the business community, Mayor Greg Dionne said the young community will benefit as well.

“What it does, of course, is showcase curling,” Dionne said at Friday’s press conference. “I’ve encouraged the committee to get the young people out … (with) an event like this and a championship like this, you can bring people out to see some of the shots and quality of curling and get excited and get to be part of the game.

Dionne said it’s about what he calls, “heads in beds”.

“You think of all the teams that will stay at our hotels. Anytime you get anyone staying in a hotel you automatically get spinoff. You get restaurant use, you get gas, you get purchase so it’s a just a great benefit.”

According to Rindal, there has been 66 hotel rooms booked for curlers, coaches, officials and special guests so far.

The event will be a round robin competition with two pools of six teams. The top two teams from each pool will go into the playoffs. The winner will then represent Saskatchewan in Grand Prairie, Alta. at the 2016 National Scotties.

The price of the tickets will be $75 for a week-long pass, and $20 for a day.

A luncheon will be hosted on Thursday, Jan. 28 featuring comedian Kelly Taylor. Ticket prices are $25.

The first draw will take place on Wednesday, Jan.27 at 2 p.m. followed by the opening ceremonies at 6 p.m.

news@panow.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow