Moose Jaw is set to host the 2025 BKT Tires World Men’s Curling Championships.
“The city of Moose Jaw is so pumped, stoked,” Mayor James Murdock told CTV News. “The excitement is everywhere. Moose Jaw is ready for this.”
Saskatchewan hasn’t hosted a men’s worlds since 2011, when the tournament was in Regina.
Murdock says the event is a unique opportunity to bring the world to Moose Jaw.
“We’re going to be in the provincial, national spotlight and international spotlight,” the mayor added.
Moose Jaw has hosted The Scotties Tournament of Hearts two times. But never a men’s, nor a women’s worlds.
Throughout the city’s downtown are the flags of all 13 countries competing in this year’s world championships.
In addition to the several local businesses with painted windows and posters welcoming each fan and player.
“People are flying in from all over the world. It’s absolutely incredible,” Tourism Moose Jaw executive director Donna Fritzke said. “I can’t even imagine what downtown is going to be like. We’re just so excited.”
Fritzke estimated between 40,000 and 50,000 visitors will be in the city for the curling championships over the next 10 days.
Pumping a much-needed injection of support into the local economy.
“We’re looking at between $12 [million] and $15 million in revenue, which is just incredible,” she said. “We just want people to be able to see and experience what we have to offer.”
Murdock says that injection will be felt by the several locally owned businesses throughout the city.
“They will reap the benefits of this,” he said. “Out day spas will see such an incredible spike, our unique shops. It’s a very nice injection and we’re very thankful.”
With so many visitors expected, the organization representing local hotels says there’s no rooms available.
“If you’re looking for staying here in Moose Jaw, you’re out of luck this week,” Visit Moose Jaw’s Crystal Froese said. “That’s what an international event does to our city.”
“[Moose Jaw] has so many different things and there’s so many different people with different interests. We can accommodate them all,” Fritze said.
Froese says often times, events look to Regina or Saskatoon as hub for large-scale opportunities.
But she doesn’t want Moose Jaw to get overlooked anymore.
“A lot of people underestimate Moose Jaw,” Froese said. “We have the capabilities of hosting international events.”
The Mayor hopes to showcase the city as a “notorious” destination for events just like this.
“Let’s just not be satisfied with having the world men’s curling here,” Murdock said. “Let’s go ahead and bring other events here, too.”
“Anytime you can be profiled like this, any community in the spotlight, it can do a lot for the community spirit,” he added.
The BKT Tires World Men’s Curling Championships begin Saturday and run through April 6 at the Temple Gardens Centre.
Canada begins play with two games Saturday. You can view their entire schedule here.
