OTTAWA – The Canadian women’s curling championship will be held in St. Catharines, Ont., for the first time in 2017.
The Scotties Tournament of Hearts will be played Feb. 18-26, 2017 at the Meridian Centre, Curling Canada said Wednesday.
"St. Catharines put in a wonderful bid that was backed wholeheartedly by the city and we’re excited to see what’s in store in 2017," Curling Canada board chairman Hugh Avery said in a release. "The Scotties Tournament of Hearts has a rich history of thrilling action on the ice and party for all ages off the ice. Curling fans in St. Catharines and all over southern Ontario are in for a treat."
The Meridian Centre opened in September 2014 and seats approximately 5,300 for hockey. It’s home to the Ontario Hockey League’s Niagara IceDogs.
St. Catharines previously hosted national junior men’s and women’s championships in 2001 and 2007.
The 2016 Scotties Tournament of Hearts is scheduled for Feb. 20-28 in Grande Prairie, Alta.