Local curling fans had to digest the sad news that Kelowna will not be hosting the Brier in 2021, but curling club manager Jock Tyre said it's all for the best.
"It was probably unlikely that we were going to have any audience at all," said Jock Tyre, at the Kelowna Curling Club. "It was going to be in a bubble no matter what. Even if it was in Kelowna."
Curling Canada says it will be taking inspiration from the NHL and NBA to set up a similar bubble environment in Calgary for the 2021 Brier.
"We're pretty good with it going to Calgary and being held in the bubble," said Tyre, who added that it leaves Kelowna positioned to likely host it sometime in the next four years.
"Let's get it when we get to have big crowds, draw some people to see Kelowna, enjoy the environment around us, the wineries, the restaurants and the hotels," he explained. "That's really what we want."
He added that Kelowna has been identified as a curling "hot spot'.
Hosting in 2022 might be less desirable considering it's an Olympic trial year which tends to sap interest in the Brier.
"So we'd rather have it anytime after that," said Tyre, "preferably before the Olympic cycle ends which is 2025 which would be the preferred date for us at the Kelowna Curling Club."
Anyone who has purchased tickets to the 2021 Tim Hortons Brier will receive an email soon regarding their refund, which will be automatically issued to the credit card used to buy the tickets.
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