Oshawa to host World’s Best Curlers for Canadian Open

The world’s best curlers are coming to Oshawa! The Capital One Grand Slam of Curling, the World Curling Tour and iSport Media and Management announced today that Oshawa, Ont. has been awarded the hosting rights to the 2011 Canadian Open. The third leg of the men’s 2010-11 Capital One Grand Slam of Curling series, the Canadian Open is scheduled to take place at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa, Ont. from January 26-30, 2011.

Early bird ticket packages will go on sale to the public on Friday, February 19th at 10:00 a.m. Tickets will be available at the General Motors Centre Box Office, by phone at 1-877-436-8811, online at www.generalmotorscentre.com, or at the United Way Information Kiosk at the Oshawa Centre. Early bird ticket packages are priced at $100.00 for a Weekend Package and $160.00 for a Five-Day Package.

“We’re elated to be returning the world’s best curlers to the GTA,” said Wendy Kane, Executive Director, Capital One Grand Slam of Curling series. “This season’s Grey Power World Cup of Curling in Mississauga was a tremendous success and we’re looking forward to carrying that momentum into Oshawa for the Canadian Open.”

An elite 18-team event consisting of the world’s top ranked curling foursomes, the field for the Canadian Open is expected to include a wealth of Olympic and World Championship medallists including Kevin Martin (Edmonton, Alta.), Glenn Howard (Coldwater, Ont.), David Murdoch (Lockerbie, Scotland), Brad Gushue (St. John’s, Nfld.), Randy Ferbey (Edmonton, Alta.), Thomas Ulsrud (Oslo, Norway), Wayne Middaugh (Etobicoke, Ont.), Jeff Stoughton (Winnipeg, Man.) and Kerry Burtnyk (Winnipeg, Man.).

The event features a total purse of $100,000 (CDN).

“The management and staff of the General Motors Centre are thrilled to have the opportunity to host the 2011 Canadian Open and bring this truly remarkable world class international event to Oshawa and the Durham Region,” stated Global Spectrum’s Vince Vella, General Manager of the General Motors Centre. “As the General Motors Centre’s first curling event, the 2011 Canadian Open will be a great test for our facility. I am confident that we will exceed everyone’s expectations and demonstrate that our staff and facility can accommodate events of the highest caliber. We also look forward to working with members of our local curling clubs who have been a guiding force during the bid process.”

The Canadian Open will mark the second consecutive season that the Greater Toronto Area has played host to a Capital One Grand Slam of Curling event. In 2009-10, the Grey Power World Cup of Curling was contested at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ont.

“What great news for Oshawa, the General Motors Centre and our downtown,” said Mayor John Gray. “Our city is absolutely thrilled to host the Canadian Open, and we welcome the world’s best curlers, and their dedicated fans. Our city and the General Motors Centre are uniquely positioned to provide a first-class event. Prepare to be amazed as Oshawa proudly shows itself off as a world-class venue and community,”

The 2011 Canadian Open will mark the 10th edition of the event. Martin, Canada’s 2010 Olympic representative, won this season’s tournament which was contested at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Man. in January.

The 2010-11 Capital One Grand Slam of Curling series will begin with the Grey Power World Cup of Curling, taking place at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ont. from November 3-7, 2010. The series will continue with The National, scheduled from December 15-19, 2010 at the Wesbilt Centre in Vernon, B.C. before moving to Oshawa for the Canadian Open. The 2010-2011 Capital One Grand Slam of Curling series concludes with the Grey Power Players’ Championship, a joint men’s and women’s event, scheduled for April 12-17, 2011 at the Crystal Centre in Grande Prairie, Alta.

As part of its exclusive agreement, CBC will air live playoff coverage of the first three men’s 2010-11 Capital One Grand Slam of Curling events. CBC will also broadcast the men’s and women’s finals of the 2011 Grey Power Players’ Championship.

Held annually since 2001-02, the Capital One Grand Slam of Curling features the world’s best players in one series.