Hundreds of high school curlers from across the province will be descending on Chatham-Kent next spring.
For the first time, the municipality will play host to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) curling championships.
The four-day bonspiel will be held at curling clubs in Chatham, Blenheim, and Ridgetown March 30 through April 3, 2027, drawing as many as 40 teams from across the province.
Ursuline College Chatham curling coach Matt McKay said the school applied last year to host the bonspiel, which will bring together 40 teams from across the province.
“It’s essentially a two-year process between being approved and holding the event,” McKay said in a news release. “Before we applied, we realized that this was a large undertaking and we would need a dedicated committee to make it work.”
Municipal officials estimate the OFSAA tournament will have an economic impact of close to $150,000 for the community.
“This is an incredible opportunity to showcase our community and its outstanding tourism assets to visitors from across the province,” said Shannon Paiva, Supervisor of Tourism Development. “This event will bring meaningful benefits to our local businesses and residents. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome athletes, families, and fans to Chatham‑Kent for what promises to be an unforgettable championship.”
Organizers will be recruiting volunteers in the coming months, saying it will take between 75 and 100 sets of hands to ensure the event runs smoothly.