Ice Halo sponsors Team Tuck at Dominion Tankard

The Dominion Men’s Curling Championships, the premier curling event for Ontario, will be held in Barrie in Feb 2013 at the Barrie Molson Centre. This event is held in cooperation with the Ontario Curling Association, the City of Barrie and our sponsor – The Dominion Insurance. Eleven teams representing all the Ontario curling zones will play down to an exciting final that will determine the team representing Ontario in the national Brier.  With more than 140 teams from across Ontario vying for the 10 spots available in each championship – the 11th team playing is the previous year's winner – the provincial bonspiel will bring thousands of people into Barrie from Feb 3rd – 10th, 2013.

"This is the first men's provincial that Barrie has ever hosted, and we are confident we will put on one of the biggest and best events we have ever seen in Ontario," said Ken Leach, chairman of The Dominion Tankard host committee. “We looked back 25 to 30 years and found no record of this event held anywhere in central Ontario, let alone Barrie,” said Leach. “A lot of great communities across the province wanted this tournament, but thankfully we were able to convince the Ontario Curling Association that we would be the best choice for such a huge, marquee celebration.” Local curling icon, Glen Howard, also strongly supports the notion of Barrie hosting the Tankard.  “I have been saying for years that Barrie would be the perfect city to host a major curling championship and that the BMC would be the best venue to do so. It would bring thousands of fans to the area and I’d probably know about 75 per cent of them, so it would be a real fun time” says Howard. 

There will be a lot of curling talent on the ice. Howard, and his team members, Brent Laing, Craig Savill and Wayne Middaugh will be there to ramp up the action. Howard won the national Brier Tankard three times - in 1987, 1993 and 2007 and was a finalist in 1986, 1992, 1994, 2006, 2008 and 2010. He's been on three world championship rinks, in 1987, 2003 and 2007. Middaugh, 44, who won his own Brier trophy in 1998, re-joined Howard's rink in 2010.

The event is not only about curling, however. The post game entertainment, food and beverages at curling events are well known.  The camaraderie and play-by-play analysis continues long after the games are over.

Additionally, the hospitality industry in Barrie is ready for the crowds expected. Tourism Barrie has a great site that will help attendees find a variety of accommodations, restaurants, shopping and nightlife. Our guests will be well looked after. Their website can be found at: http://www.tourismbarrie.com/home.aspx. Barrie Mayor, Jeff Lehman strongly supports the event and what it brings to the city and the profile of the sport. “When an event such as this comes to the city, you market the whole city,” said Lehman. “For example, there is the potential to tie in downtown Barrie with the superstars of the game, maybe a reception or meet and greet. There is a great chance to raise money for local charities through the promotion of the tournament. The list is long in things that we could do to promote and include the entire city of Barrie.”

Tickets will be going on sale soon. These can be purchased in week long packages starting at $120. Weekend packages start at $60. Premium seating is also available. Join us in Barrie as we roll out the “Trail to the Tankard”. More information will be posted as the planning evolves.    

[With Files from the Barrie Examiner and SimcoeNews.com]