4 cities hoping to host 2020 curling Brier offer pre-sales to gauge community support

As the competition for the 2018 TimHortonsBrier men's curling championship comes to an end this weekend in Regina, four Canadian cities are competing for another prize: the privilege of hosting the competition in 2020.

The stakes are an estimatedeconomic impact of up to $15 million and 130,000 spectators.

In the running so far are four cities pre-selling tickets to prove they deserve to host one of the world's premier curling championships.

Prince George: The B.C. bid

So far, the city with the most pre-sales of the three citiesrevealing their totals is Prince George, B.C., which is halfway to meeting its goal of selling 2,020 tickets for $20.20 each.

"We want to see what kind ofresponsethis community and this region has to bring perhaps one of Canada's most celebrated winter events into Prince George," said GlennMikkelsen, general manager of the CN Centre, which is leading the bid.

The city's pitchis centred around community enthusiasmand a proven ability to hostnational events after the 2015 Canada Winter Games and twoScotties Tournament of Hearts women's national curling championships, held in 1983 and 2000.

Kingston: Curling history

Kingston, Ont. has hosted the Brier once before, in 1957. Itis also home to the second-oldest curling club in Canada, the Royal Kingston Curling Club, established in 1820.

All this history showcases the city's deep curling culture, said Michael Beleza ofTourism Kingston.

Kingston set its pre-sale price at $50 after consulting with Curling Canada which chooses the host city and so far has sold more than25 per cent of its goal of 2,020tickets.

St.Catharines: Ready to party

St.Catharines, Ont. isnot yet certain it will submit a bid, but is ready to party after hosting the 2017 Scotties, said Doug Geddie, chair of the local bid committee.

St. Catharineshas sold about 300 pre-sale tickets, with a goal of selling 1,000 by the time it submits its bid.

The city is asking for only $10 per pre-sale, a decision made afterseeing how higher prices were affecting sales in other cities, Geddie said.

"I was looking at the other communities [such] as Kingston, [which] was at $50 and was struggling, and I saw Prince George came in at $20.20, which I thought was pretty cute."

Geddiehopesthe lower price willboostsales before the April 30deadline to submit a letter of intent. He also wants to showcase the new downtown Meridian Centre, which opened in 2014.

Moncton: Cards close to the chest

JacquesRobichaud, president of CurlMoncton, is keeping his cards close to hischest. The committeehas set a pre-sale price of $50, butRobichaudwon't reveal how many pre-sale ticketshave been sold.

Monctonlost the bid for the 2019Brierto Brandon, Man., but Robichaudsays the disappointment was short-lived.

"We said, 'OK, we didn't get it. What's it going to take to come back with a better bid for next year?' If we do decide to go ahead with it."

Monctonhas a new multi-event centre slated to open this summer that will add3,000 seats to its previous capacity of 7,200.

Curling Canada to decide

Curling Canada spokesperson Al Cameronsays that although many factors go into selecting a host city,pre-sellingtickets is a valuable indicator of community support.

"Itsends a pretty powerful message, doesn't it?" he said. "I mean it's hard to ignore those kinds of things."

Facilities, ability to host live entertainment, alarge volunteer base anda proven ability to host national events will also be taken into account.