We could see $851,275 for the Fort William Gardens and Curling Club after City Council gave the order to submit two funding applications.
This is the second stage of applications to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and FEDNOR, to prepare the facility to host the 2021 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Current River Councillor Andrew Foulds feels it’s a worthwhile project during this pandemic.
“This city needs a victory, and events like this can really rally people, and frankly rally this community,” Foulds says. “300 days from now, the kinds of investments the city makes may very well help this city on its economic recovery.”
The money would go toward flooring to cover the ice at the Gardens or Curling Club for events, electrical and ice plant improvements, and other sound, lighting and video work.
Part of the improvements are required by Curling Canada, including a large Jumbotron screen that Council heard last year is estimated to cost $25,000.
The Canadian Women’s Curling Championship is scheduled to be held in Thunder Bay from February 20th to 28th. The last time we hosted the Scotties was in 1996.
