On Monday, February 22nd, Saugeen Shores Council gave their approval for the 2022 Ontario Mens Tankard to be hosted by the Port Elgin Curling Club following a delegation by Doug Flowers.
The event is scheduled for February 9 – 13, 2022 at the Plex in Port Elgin where special curling rinks will be developed and special seating installed.
The Ontario Men’s Tankard will determine the team that will represent the Ontario Mens at the 2022 Tim Hortons Brier which will be held in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Past Tankard champions have included Team Glenn Howard (10 times), Team Russ Howard (8 times), Team Paul Savage (5 times), Team Wayne Middaugh (3 times), and Team John Epping.
More than 200 volunteers from throughout Bruce and Grey counties will be needed to run this event. Volunteers do not necessarily need to be members of area curling clubs, although within one hour of Port Elgin there are more than 40 clubs. Area curling clubs and businesses will all benefit from the event being held at the Plex.
Steering Committee President Doug Flowers said, “We have been awarded the 2022 Tankard plus our annual Superspiel is going to become a sponsored World Curling Tour event. As a community, we have all of the ingredients to attract other curling events, and all of the benefits that come with them. Once we get the 2022 Ontario Tankard under our belt, there are other opportunities if we choose them.”
In his delegation, Flowers went on to say that, “We of course want to bring economic stimulus to the community in February. Beyond that we want to focus community attention on curling and to get more people involved. Not only in Port Elgin, but throughout Saugeen Shores and the surrounding area. Funds generated by the Tankard will be used for club infrastructure, for modernization of our facility, and for broadening our participant base.”
This Saturday, February 27th, is Curling in Canada Day. Special events will be held throughout the day at the Port Elgin Curling Club including the Official Launch of the 2022 Ontario Tankard.
To read, Flowers’ delegation to Saugeen Shores Town Council, Click Here.
