With City Council being asked tonigt to provide $150,000 towards the city’s Brier Bid – the province has stepped up with a sizeable contribution.

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The province will commit $300,000 to the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation to support the City’s bid for the 2017 Tim Hortons Brier, David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

“Hosting major sporting events in our community attracts thousands of visitors, provides a boost to local businesses and will showcase high-level sport for residents and tourists to enjoy,” said  Orazietti.  “Our government’s investments in Northern Ontario tourism continues to have a positive impact on our city and regional economy.”

Funding for the tournament is being provided in the form of a grant through the Celebrate Ontario 2015/16 Blockbuster Program. 

The 2017 Tim Hortons Brier is a week-long event which takes place in the month of March and is one of the nation’s most prestigious men’s curling tournaments. The tournament is comprised of 12 provincial teams and is expected to attract from 100,000 to 120,000 attendees. 

The Sault Ste. Marie local bid committee has been formed by members of Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, City of Sault Ste. Marie, Soo Curlers Association and Tarentorus Sports Club.

“For a smaller community like Sault Ste. Marie to host one of Canada’s most iconic events such as the Tim Horton’s Brier would not only mean a significant influx of visitors and the accompanying economic impact, but also major exposure for our city during the National Broadcast. This would not have been possible without this commitment from the Province,” said Ian McMillan, Executive Director, Tourism Sault Ste. Marie.

In 2012 the provincial government provided $250,000 through the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture and Celebrate Ontario to support Sault Ste. Marie in hosting the Canadian Adult Recreational Hockey Association (CARHA) 2012 World Cup tournament, one of the largest international adult recreational hockey tournaments in the world. The 2012 CARHA Hockey World Cup generated a total of $13.3 million in economic activity.