Disapppointment in Moncton, after news that the 2020 Brier will be held in Kingston, Ontario.
Curling Canada made the announcement in the Limestone City earlier today.
Moncton was one of four communities to submit a bid for the competition.
Curl Moncton President Jacques Robichaud says despite the increase in the commitment for funds for the tournament in this bid, the decision came down to money, “I think it underlines the importance and the need for a destination marketing fee for our region. That will allow Moncton to be more competitive in attracting larger events without depending entirely on public funding.”
In this bid, the province and city committed over $750, 000. Curl Moncton also committed $50,000, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough.
“It was completely a question of money. The bid fee wasn’t enough and our presales weren’t as strong as Kingston’s presales,” Robichaud says.
This is the second Brier bid the City of Moncton has submitted in the last couple of years.
As to whether they will ever submit another bid, Robichaud says changes will need to be made, “Either Curling Canada stops looking only to award the Brier on the question of money or that we have a Destination marketing fee in place where there are monies that can be added to the bid. My recommendation would be that, it’s not worth applying.”
The four communities to apply were Moncton, NB, Prince George, BC, St. Catherines, Ontario and Kingston, Ontario.