The 2010 Tim Hortons Brier appears headed for Halifax.
A source involved in the negotiations told Metro Halifax yesterday that a press conference is scheduled for next Tuesday to formally announce that the Metro Centre will play host to the annual Canadian men’s curling championship.
The Canadian Curling Association would only confirm that it will be “making an announcement” next week.
“We don’t have a lot to say,” said Warren Hansen, the CCA’s manager of event operations and media.
“We are making an announcement next Tuesday but I’m not at liberty to tell you what that is or what that will be about.”
Halifax, which has hosted the Brier five times including 2003 and 1995, has been hard after the event for the past year. London, Ont., and Saskatoon, Sask., were also in the mix.
“In any given year, we’re negotiating with two or three cities at once,” Hansen added.
“Wherever we feel we’re going to make a breakthrough, that’s where the ball rests.”
Halifax drew an attendance of 158,144 five years ago, a total that stands eighth all-time.
That year, Alberta’s Randy Ferbey knocked out hometown favourite Mark Dacey of Mayflower in the final to claim his third consecutive title.
The Metro Centre also played host to the Roar of the Rings Canadian Olympic curling trials in 2005, drawing a total attendance of 159,235 over nine days.
The 2008 Brier was held at MTS Centre in Winnipeg, while the 2009 event is set for next March in Calgary.
