Thunder Bay Mayor with Members of the Northern Ontario Curling Team - CJ Goater
The 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts is set to be hosted in Thunder Bay from February 14-23.
Thunder Bay was previously awarded the opportunity to host the tournament in 2021, but due to COVID-19, the tournament was relocated to a bubble in Calgary.
To compensate for losing the 2021 tournament Thunder Bay was awarded the host role in 2022, but due to an uptick in COVID-19 numbers, the tournament had to be held without fans.
Diane Emry Vice Chair of the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts Committee was disappointed by the lack of a full event in 2022, but did highlight a benefit, ” there was a worldwide pandemic that welcomed its way, but we still put on an event. It was obviously scaled down in 2022. That was our dress rehearsal and we’re looking forward to bringing everybody back in 2025.”
The tournament was mainly funded by the Tourism Development Fund through the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission.
Jamie Taylor CEO of the CEDC explained the economic benefits of hosting the Scotties “This event will bring over 3000 visitors to Thunder Bay, providing a significant boost to our local economy.”
The CEDC estimates the economic impact will be an additional $7-8 million for the local economy.
This will be the sixth time the Canadian women’s curling championship has been hosted by the Northern Ontario Curling Association and the fourth time it will be hosted in Thunder Bay.
