Larry Wood
HeartChart Editor (CCA)

The last time the Scotties Tournament of Hearts was staged in Charlottetown, post-event reports seeping off Prince Edward Island painted a word picture of one whale of a razzlin’, dazzlin’ party. Veteran observers concur. It was a Scotties to cherish, also to remember.

Organizing committee chair for the 2011 renewal is Kim Dolan, who’s run more curling championships than she cares to count and is relying on the good vibes from that 1999 event, one which still is talked about on both sides of the Confederation Bridge.

Photo from left, co-chair Rebecca Jean MacPhee, chair Kim Dolan, and head of promotions Nancy Cameron,
of the Charlottetown 2011 organizing committee, were in Sault Ste. Marie to observe this year’s Scotties.

“It was special because of the atmosphere that was created within the building,”says Dolan, who’s a Scotties regular as organizer and player. “Charlottetown really embraced the event, and once they saw the whole thing — the curling of that calibre hadn’t been seen there for a long time — Islanders came out in droves. “They filled the arena and they filled the HeartStop which is right across the hallway. There was just buzz around the whole event.”

The same Civic Centre venue, with a few additional seats, will be the site for 2011 and the same adjacent HeartStop watering hole will be open for business next door. “This makes the event whole, I think, with the HeartStop and arena connected,”says Dolan. “Walk across the hall and you’re into a totally other atmosphere. So it’s a nice combo for what we want.”

The Civic Centre is a 4,000-seat building — “we lose about 400 so it’ll be just over 3,500 for curling. It’s a perfect size for this event and I think we’ll do well again.” Dolan was the chair in 1999 until she wound up winning the province, as third for Rebecca Jean MacPhee. Coincidentally, current Island skip Kathy O’Rourke played second on the same team. The next designated chair wanted to go to the Brier, so, in the end, “Marion MacAulay, a very capable lady, took over and did a great job”. “I think we had a really good handle on what it took to hold an event like this,” says Dolan. “Whether it was a lot of experience from being there or not, we paid attention to all the small details and did them well and I think a lot of people agree it was one of the best Scotties.”Right now, she says, the excitement is building for next year, partially due to the achievements of O’Rourke’s team at the Essar Centre this week.

Something else. MacPhee, who skipped in last year’s Scotties, will be the co-chair. “There’s a buzz around town about next year,” says Dolan. “Seats are selling, we’ve had sales every day since Feb. 1. From this event, and P.E.I. doing well, we’re seeing growth in sales. I think Islanders add their own touch to this sort of show. It’s another level of hospitality. “Everything is big family in Charlottetown. Everything is pretty central. Our curlers don’t do a lot of travelling. But it’s the closeness of the Islanders. It generates a tight-knit community. We see one another every day. All our players have pretty good relationships.”

“And when it comes to staging an event, everybody pulls together. “It’s all about community. Charlottetown will embrace it. Visitors will be recognized walking down the street. People will be stopping you and talking to you. That’s all part of an event like this in P.E.I. People coming in will have memories they won’t be able to gather anywhere else.”
Dolan, who’s been to 11 Scotties as a curler, five as a skip, three as a third, three as an alternate, expects a volunteer brigade of 400 to 500 will be required to set the wheels turning next February.

Charlottetown boasts a number of hotels within walking distance of the Civic Centre. And the entertainment, naturally, will be “down-east.” “We’re planning stepdancing lessons, bagpipes, fiddles, the works. It’ll have a definite Atlantic atmosphere. We’ll be showing off the down-east talent that we have.

“Curling gets a big boost from TV and when people get a chance to see it live and have seen what our team has done here, I think we’ll have no trouble filling the building,” says Dolan. Oh yes, and one other thing. “We have good lobster,” she says with a grin.“And plenty of it.”