MONCTON (CCA) – The provincial government is contributing $200,000 toward the 2009 Ford World Men’s Curling Championship to be hosted in Moncton, Health Minister Michael Murphy announced today. The funding, provided by the Regional Development Corporation, will help defray the costs of hosting the event.
This world championship event will put Greater Moncton and New Brunswick in the international spotlight,” said Murphy. “This exposure provides us an opportunity to highlight Moncton and our province to the rest of the world, and it will result in major economic benefits for the Moncton area and New Brunswick.”
Murphy made the announcement on behalf of Finance Minister Victor Boudreau, who is also minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation. Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc and James E. Lockyer, chairperson of the organizing committee, joined Murphy for the announcement.
“Sports enthusiasts from around the world are gearing up to see the world’s best curlers right here, in Moncton,” said LeBlanc. “This is yet another glowing example of how Moncton is being put on the world map as a city capable of hosting world-class sporting events.”
The championship will be held at the Moncton Coliseum from April 4 to April 12, 2009. The event will be in a 12-team, round-robin format with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs.
“The world championship is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our many community volunteers and expertise,” said Wellness, Culture and Sport Minister Hédard Albert. “We expect the event will provide a lasting legacy for sport development in New Brunswick.”
The event will mark the 50th anniversary of the World Men’s Curling Championship, and for some of the participating countries will be the last qualifying event immediately preceding the 2010 Winter Olympics. Television coverage will be extensive, with more than 40 hours of national coverage and more than 20 hours of international coverage.
“We are absolutely delighted with the support the Province of New Brunswick has provided,” said Lockyer. “The 2009 Ford World Men’s Curling Championship will be a highly successful event for our community, our province and our region.”