Fans, organizers enjoying Brier experience in Lethbridge

Because the 2022 Brier ultimate strikes nearer, the return of followers on the occasion and the return of full capability seating on the Enmax Centre is true on the button for followers.

“It’s nice. It’s actually, actually good,” Brier attendee Doug Munton mentioned.

Curling Canada officers are additionally in settlement.

“We’ve had some good crowds, followers have been into it,” government director of selling and fan expertise Nolan Thiessen mentioned. “I do know final evening, with the all-Alberta battle, was the most important crowd of the week and we’re hoping to hold that momentum into the weekend.

“It’s sort of this little piece of return to normalcy that I believe we have been hoping for.”

Doug and Valerie Munton have been on the Brier every single day thus far.

The primary main occasion on the Enmax Centre for the reason that province relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, they’re having fun with the interplay the brand new guidelines permit.

“That is fairly attention-grabbing stuff and there’s some fairly good shot-makers,” Doug mentioned.

“I respect there’s a lot of cheering for all of the groups, I believe that’s very nice,” Valerie mentioned.

With the Brier, Lethbridge has now hosted 4 main curling occasions since 2007, together with the Scotties Event of Hearts and each the lads’s and ladies’s world championships. Brier organizers say there’s a transparent motive why the town stays a lovely possibility for curling.

“It’s the volunteer base and the crowds,” Thiessen mentioned. “You see it right here, there’s tons of curling followers, tons of people who find themselves educated and like to return out, so we wish to carry occasions.”

And whereas one fan from Excessive River, Alta., is having fun with the product Lethbridge is placing ahead, he does assume there’s room for enchancment.

“We actually just like the city,” Ter Hamer mentioned. “When you may simply flip the wind pace down a bit bit, that might be good.”

With that critique in thoughts, Curling Canada isn’t ruling out the potential of one other occasion within the metropolis — and shortly.

“We’ve obtained an open bid course of, so if the town of Lethbridge and everybody want to have one thing again, they clearly know the place to get ahold of us as a result of they’ve fairly a bit,” Thiessen mentioned.

“I wouldn’t be shocked to see us again in Lethbridge someday.”

For anybody who can’t wait till curling makes its return, the Brier continues with the playoff rounds, ending with the ultimate on Sunday.