Regina to host 2006 Brier

The 2006 Brier will be played at the Agridome in Regina, Saskatchewan, March 11-19, it was announced today by the Canadian Curling Association (CCA). It will be the fourth time that the city has hosted the Canadian men's curling championship, which will celebrate its 77th edition in 2006. The last time the Brier was held in Regina was in 1992 and before that, 1976 and 1955. With a seating capacity of 6,000, it is a certainty that the Agridome will sell out quickly, when tickets go on sale early in 2005. "On behalf of the Canadian Curling Association, we are thrilled to award the 2006 Brier to Regina," said Barry Greenberg, CCA President. "There is no doubt that the city and its incredible curling fans and volunteers will stage yet another successful and entertaining championship. I wish the host committee the best of luck in its preparations to organize this coveted curling event." With the new Multi Purpose Facility adjacent to the Agridome, plans are underway to utilize the 90,000 square-foot venue for a potential 6,000 seat Brier Patch, while a possible 2,000 seat Purple Heart Lounge will be located in the attached Agribition Building, both of which would be the biggest in Brier history. "Curl Regina and the entire curling community are very excited that 'Canada's Greatest City' has once again been chosen to host a Brier," said Host Committee President Bernadette McIntyre, who also previously chaired the 1998 Scott Tournament of Hearts and the 2001 Canadian Curling Trials but is the first woman to be the host committee president for a Canadian men's curling championship. "We may not be able to host the biggest Brier ever, but fun, all under one roof, will be our theme. Regina's wonderful volunteers are ready to show our city's warmth and hospitality to all curlers and visitors. We thank the CCA for having the confidence to return here. The Brier is Canada's second biggest party and Regina knows how to host a party!" "Our thanks for making this bid a reality go to Curl Regina, the City of Regina, Tourism Regina and the Regina Exhibition Association," continued McIntyre. "Events like these are critical for curling clubs since the profits keep the doors open and allow the clubs to make capital improvements. The economic impact of events such as the recent (2003) Grey Cup and Brier are hugely significant on the city, its businesses and charities. The Host Committee is committed to involve all aspects of the community in order to maximize the benefits for everyone." The Brier began in 1927 in Toronto and has been played in 31 different cities across Canada, from Victoria to St. John's. Manitoba has won a record 26 Briers, while Alberta is next with 21. New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Yukon/Northwest Territories have yet to win. Saskatchewan has captured seven Briers in 75 yearsŠfour by Regina's Ernie Richardson (1959, 1960, 1962, 1963), one each by Garnet Campbell (1955), Harvey Mazinke (1973) and Rick Folk (1980). The 2006 Brier will also mark the ninth time that the province has staged the championship. Saskatoon is a five-time host, including the most recent Nokia Brier in 2004. Saskatoon also holds the Brier attendance record of 248,793, set in 2000. When the Brier was last held in Regina in 1992, 121,555 fans attended. In 1998, Regina established an attendance record for the Canadian women's curling championship, with 154,688. In 2001, 143,187 fans watched British Columbia's Kelley Law and Alberta's Kevin Martin win the Canadian Curling Trials and earn berths into the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 2002, the Agridome hosted the first Continental Cup, the unique international curling competition somewhat similar to golf's Ryder Cup, pitting six North American teams against six European rivals in a variety of competitions. The dramatic contest wasn't decided until the last rock in the men's skins game, with Team North America declared the inaugural champion. Since 1980, when the first Labatt Brier was held in Calgary and a playoff format was introduced, 16 of 25 Brier winners have also gone on to win the men's world curling championship. The latest was Edmonton's Randy Ferbey, who captured the 2003 Brier in Halifax and the Ford Worlds in Winnipeg. The Brier playoff format involves four of the 12 participating teams, after the round robin has concluded, in the Page System (1 vs 2, winner to final, loser to semi-final; 3 vs 4, winner to semi-final, loser eliminated). Meanwhile, the 2005 Brier will be staged at Rexall Place in Edmonton, March 5-13. For further information: Warren Hansen Manager of Event Operations and Media Canadian Curling Association (cell): 604-329-9850 e-mail: warrenhansen@telus.net Bernadette McIntyre President, Regina Host Committee 2006 Brier (home) 306-789-7704 (work) 306-751-1527 (cell) 306- 539-0377 bmcintyre@sgi.sk.ca Jeff Timson Tel/fax: 905-881-8322