At the Economic and Finance SPC meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, an item was brought forward regarding potential funding to bid for the curling tournament. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Economic and Finance SPC votes to explore potential Scotties bid in Lethbridge

May 7, 2024 | 4:42 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge is exploring a bid for the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

At the The Economic and Finance SPC meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, an item was brought forward regarding potential funding to bid for the curling tournament.

The Lethbridge Curling Club was seeking a letter of support and financial aid in the amount of $400,000 of cash and in-kind funds for the Scotties. Members of council deliberated at the meeting, as administration originally drafted a motion to go against a funding recommendation.

Part of deliberation by council came to be because of where the money for the potential bid would come from. Council made an amendment to the motion, removing that they would not support it.

The amendment became that Council would allocate $70,000 from the city’s Major Event Hosting Grant, and $330,000 would come from the Municipal Revenue Stabilization Reserve (MRSR).

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Following the amendment, the vote that would bring the matter to a City Council meeting passed, with only one vote in opposition.

Councillor Mark Campbell says the Scotties is another important piece to Lethbridge being a curling hub.

Lethbridge previously hosted the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in 1987 and in 2007.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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