Article content“This time, I wasn’t just a teenager watching with goals and dreams,” said Birt, who grew up in Summerside. “My team and I were able to represent P.E.I., and I was living out those goals and dreams by competing right here in Charlottetown, with the love and support from family, friends, and even complete strangers.Article content“That Scotties will definitely be actually my memory for a very, very long time.”Article contentBirt, who has never officially retired, stepped away from curling two years ago. When asked if she may be contemplating a return to the ice with the Scotties coming back to P.E.I., Birt said she is unsure of what the future holds.Article content Suzanne Birt speaks during a media conference at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown on June 18. It was announced the 2027 Scotties Tournament of Hearts will take place at the multi-purpose facility. Birt knows what it means to participate in a Scotties Tournament of Hearts and has skipped P.E.I. at 14 Canadian women’s curling championships. Photo by Jason Simmonds /The GuardianArticle contentScotties impactArticle contentJane DiCarlo wears multiple hats as Curl P.E.I. president and athlete. DiCarlo skipped Team P.E.I. at the last two Scotties. DiCarlo said hosting the Scotties is not only exciting but inspiring.Article content“I know, for myself, I started curling because of events like this,” said DiCarlo. “I’d watch my heroes on TV and dream to be just like them someday.Article contentArticle content“The Scotties (are) about more than just curling. It’s also the opportunity it creates for women and girls in sports.”Article contentA big part of that is the support provided by title sponsor Kruger Products.Article content“When I tell you there is no more loyal and supportive sponsor of women’s sports in Canada it is nowhere near an exaggeration,” said Cameron. “Scotties Tournament of Hearts is the biggest, the most famous national women’s curling championship on the planet and Kruger Products is the biggest reason why and we thank them sincerely for their partnership.”Article contentAlong with the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Cameron talked about Kruger’s support of a grassroots program.Article content“They’re sponsoring an up-and-coming program called Girls Rock to get young female athletes engaged in our sport, and it’s going to put our sport in such a good place for years and years to come,” said Cameron.Article contentArticle content Curl P.E.I. president Jane DiCarlo speaks at a media conference on June 18, announcing Charlottetown as the host of the 2027 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. DiCarlo has also skipped Team P.E.I. at the last two Canadian women’s curling championships. Photo by Jason Simmonds /The GuardianArticle contentNo easy taskArticle contentCharlottetown Mayor Philip Brown said winning the bid to host the Scotties was no small feat.Article contentBrown, who called the Scotties one of the top-five events to host in Canada, pointed out the event is expected to have an economic spinoff of $6-to-8-million in the shoulder tourism season, and there will be more than 70 hours of live coverage on The Sports Network (TSN).Article content“Charlottetown is known as a premier sport hosting destination in Canada, our beloved country,” said Brown. “Our economic tourism and cultural development team proudly led the way bid through our sport tourism initiative SCORE, a project that has been several years in the making.”Article contentMore than curlingArticle contentMinister of Sport Zack Bell said the Scotties is not only a showcase of the best women’s curling talent in the country, but also a celebration of Canadian sport.Article content“It brings together the passionate communities for the love of the game,” said Bell. “And, of course, there is no better place than P.E.I. to have that here.Article content“For generations, curling has been a cherished tradition for Islanders – small-town rinks, to the national podium, with athletes, the volunteers, and, of course, the fans. They show, time and again, what it means to play with such passion and pride. Hosting the Scotties will give us the opportunity to share that passion with all of Canada and, of course, the rest of the world.”Article contentArticle contentJason Simmonds is the sports editor at The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. He can be reached at jsimmonds@postmedia.com and followed on X @JpsportsJason.Article content
Scotties Tournament of Hearts provided full-circle moments for P.E.I. skips
