Liverpool is set to host the World Junior Curling Championships in a year and a half. The announcement was made at Queens Place Emera Centre Aug. 2.
“It’s an exciting day,” said Dagley.
Dagley says the council of the Region of Queens is happy to support the event through a $50,000 contribution.
“We are happy to join the province of Nova Scotia and the society in providing funding to bring this major event to Queens,” said Dagley.
[World curling event coming to Liverpool, N.S.]
The province is investing an additional $100,000 to support Liverpool as host of the championships.
“From today, we will start working with new partners, including the province of Nova Scotia, the Region of Queens Municipality and other major sponsors who will be taking part in this world curling event,” said Greg Thorbourne, chairman of the Liverpool host-committee.
Thorbourne says the event will allow Liverpool and Nova Scotia to be showcased on the world stage.
“Our community will welcome no less than 10 representative countries to the event,” he said.
He says this will be the first international curling event that has been hosted Liverpool. In 2014, Liverpool hosted the Canadian Junior Curling Championships. The Liverpool Curling Club has hosted many provincial events throughout the years.
Shirley Osborne was at the announcement, representing Curling Canada and the board of governors. She thanked the World Curling Federation for its leadership, saying that it’s especially encouraging to see the federation build the sport for junior curlers.
Leo Glavine, culture and heritage minister, also took the podium.
“We certainly have a history of curling greatness in this province – Colleen Jones and Mary Fay, from Chester, and from right here in Liverpool, Jill Mouzar, a Canadian junior champion,” he said.
Glavine says he looks forward to cheering on Team Canada in Liverpool.
The last time the world juniors were in Canada was in 2009 when Vancouver, B.C., hosted the event prior to the Olympics.
The competition will include 10 men’s and 10 women’s teams in the under-21 age group.
The event is slated to happen from Feb. 17 to 24, 2019.