It has been three weeks since the World Curling Federation pulled the plug on its women’s championship in Prince George.
The official announcement was just two days prior to the competition starting.
Knowing what we are aware of now, this was not only the right decision but the only decision.
In the days leading up to the championship, there was still hope it could be played, even if fans were not allowed in the building to watch.
Reality quickly set in as the coronavirus started to make its presence felt in Canada.
World Women’s Curling Championship 2020 cancelled in Prince George, Canada >> https://t.co/fBVCX9OudQ#WWCC2020 #curling ?
— World Curling (@worldcurling) March 12, 2020
CN Centre general manager Glen Mikkelsen played a key role in landing the world-class tournament to the city.
He and many others devoted countless hours to have everything ready for a first-class championship.
Championship Vice-Chairs Anne Davidson and Glen Mikkelsen, joined Mr. PG (looking dapper in a scarf and holding aloft his mighty broom) to mark the final month before the start of the 2020 Curling Canada World Curling Championships.
Further info: https://t.co/XGp7j8DiUP pic.twitter.com/BxF4Y2NuwZ— Prince George, BC (@CityofPG) February 14, 2020
On the big picture, losing that event seems insignificant considering everything else the entire world lost in an ugly month of March.
Having put that in perspective, we all must move forward.
The always colorful Glen Mikkelsen from @CNCentre stating the World Women’s Curling Championships is no ‘consolation prize’ after missing out on the Tim Hortons Brier #cityofpg #NorthernBC #curlingcanada #sports pic.twitter.com/ucLulYv6Ch
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) February 5, 2019
Somewhere down the road (and it does seem far away), sports will return and that means Mikkelsen and his team can once again pursue major events for CN Centre.
The women’s world curling championship is held every even year in Canada, while the men’s world championship comes to our country every odd year.
Have there been discussions with World Curling and the City about a world championship coming to Prince George to make-up for the 2020 cancellation?
“Yes – there were, of course, follow up meetings and discussions with Curling Canada staff (who organize the world championship events for the World Curling Federation when held in Canada). Curling Canada was very impressed in the manner that the Host Committee, volunteers, and the City, worked together to present the WWCC and subsequently dealt with the cancellation. This bodes well for future considerations of another WWCC, or other future Curling Canada events. At this time, there has been no commitment to any event,” said Mikkelson in an interview this week with mypgnow.com.
Al Cameron of @CurlingCanada chats with the media following the cancellation of the World Women’s Curling Championship in @CityofPG @mypgnow #cityofpg #sports #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/HQBKEsFGVJ
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) March 12, 2020
Because of the uncertainty, the pandemic has caused, one might believe that trying to secure sports or other events at this time for Prince George may be put on hold.
“We constantly are looking for new events and sport events for the city. Obviously, plans are tentative right now in the sports and entertainment industry, as acts, agents, and events, reassess the ability to create, sell, and produce the event. It is an uncertain time in the live event industry; however, acts are looking towards the autumn as a time when touring may restart. We at the City also regularly work with Tourism Prince George to identify events that are a fit for the community, including this venue,” stated Mikkelson.
CN Centre will be quiet this month and next and likely beyond.
While many events have been postponed or cancelled, the Saints and Sinners Tour Rock Show is obviously in limbo but as of today remains on the calendar for July 1st in Prince George.
Fans of Canadian rock will have a lot to celebrate this summer as the Saints And Sinners 2020 Tour will bring together four legendary bands – Big Wreck, Headstones, Moist and The Tea Party – on stage for the first time.
Tickets: https://t.co/X8GnOA0DnA pic.twitter.com/eFlYRv0uDw
— Core Entertainment (@TweetTheCore) March 12, 2020
Have Mikkelson’s duties changed since the immediate future is cloudy?
“Like most of my venue colleagues in North America, and around the world, we are tired of the word “cancelled”. We are in the business of bringing people together, and understandably the current COVID situation is detrimental to that business. At this time, my role has changed little. In fact, I just got off a conference call with venue managers around the continent, sharing details and stories on what is happening in their communities. I am still dealing with wrapping up events that were scheduled, and looking at plans for events into July and beyond.”
Right now there is a freeze not only on curling and sports but most everything we do.
All we strive for at the moment is the return to normal.
In the meantime, we do our part, which means physical distancing and staying home.
The much-anticipated day will come when we can finally wash one’s hands of that terrible virus.
FROM THE QUOTE RACK:
The Women’s World Curling Championship in Prince George got cancelled two days before Draw 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing 13 teams to return home. Call it a tredecuple takeout.
*Canadian comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton was the first person in NFL to announce he has the coronavirus. Bus to hell time. Waiting for NFL refs to tell Sean Payton that they thought his coronavirus was uncatchable.
*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
Saints coach Sean Payton details juggling recovery from coronavirus with NFL coaching demands https://t.co/PQ4HrCoiEe
— The Daily Advertiser (@theadvertiser) March 31, 2020
The bad news for Jacksonville Jaguar pass defenders is that opposing receivers got behind them to score a league-leading 17 TD’s allowed. The good news for them is that they are now well-practised in social distancing.
*Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
NFL broadcasters, in keeping with the coronavirus theme, will henceforth refer to busted coverages as “social distancing.”
*Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://www.seattletimes.com/author/dwight-perry/
Hartley Miller is the news and sports supervisor and morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT and Country 97.
He also is the 94.3 the Goat radio colour commentator for P.G. Cougars home games.
His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com.
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