Niagara Regional Council is wholeheartedly supporting a bid to bring a major curling tournament to St. Catharines.
During last night's meeting, the Men's Curling Championship Brier was referred to as 'the grand daddy of Canadian curling'.
A member of the bid committee, Doug Geddie, spoke of the huge impact hosting the Brier in 2020 would have on the region.
"What I can tell you from Curling Canada's historical experience with other Briers is $12 - 15 million economic impact for whatever city hosts it."
Geddie also referenced the recent success of hosting the women's championship, known as the Scotties, at the Meridian Centre last year. Estimates suggest that tournament helped to bring $10 million to the region.
St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik stood up to point out this wouldn't just be a boon for St. Catharines:
"So on TSN, the announcer every time they came back to the show was talking about 'downtown St. Catharines at the Meridian Centre' and then they would pan out to Niagara Falls, or Niagara on the Lake, or Welland; they would just showcase Niagara."
Council unanimously supported a motion to contribute $75,000 over three years if the bid is successful.