Nova Scotia’s Colchester County gaining worldwide exposure as a sports tourism destination

“The Government of Canada is committed to creating sustainable growth, economic opportunity and prosperity in Canada. Our investment will help the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre Society foster greater ties to the international sporting community, a source of recurring events and increased visitors. This will contribute to the growing national and global recognition the region is gaining for its attraction of high-profile sporting events.”

-       The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister Responsible for ACOA

“The 2018 World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships and the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Masters will help grow the sports tourism market by promoting the region, and the province, as a high caliber event destination. I am pleased that our government’s support will help the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre Society to build on its experience and ability to host world-class sporting events.”

-       Bill Casey, Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester 

“Recreation and sport are part of the fabric that make a community strong. Through the Culture Action Plan, we are investing in our communities and attracting and supporting major events in the province; this includes developing an events strategy for the province. We are incredibly excited that our province is hosting events of this calibre, which generate economic activity, social benefits and leave legacy infrastructure. Ultimately, this benefits local residents, surrounding communities and the entire province.”

-    The Honourable Leo Glavine, Nova Scotia Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage

“The Down Syndrome International Swimming Organization (DSISO) is very excited about the opportunity to come to Truro, and for the first time to Canada, for the 9th World Championships. Swimmers from all around the world, from all continents, are looking forward to enjoying this event and the hospitality that our Canadian hosts are so famous for. Thank you Canada, thank you Truro, thank you for the generosity of the sponsors and thank you to all the great staff at Rath Eastlink Community Centre for making this great event possible.”

-       Dr. Geoff Smedley, President, Down Syndrome International Swimming Organization 

“As curling’s popularity continues to grow, we rely on host communities to help us deliver world-class events featuring the best and biggest names in the sport. For us, returning to Truro for a second time was an obvious choice. From the unforgettable East Coast hospitality of the local community to Rath Eastlink Community Centre’s outstanding facilities, Truro has proven to be an ideal location for us to put on an event of this magnitude.”

-       Rob Corte, Vice-President, Sportsnet Productions

“This investment has enabled our organization to successfully attract a wider variety of major events to our venue, leading to more sustainable pathways for continued regional economic development. We look forward to welcoming the Down Syndrome World Swimming Championship this summer and the return of the Grand Slam of Curling this fall.”

-          Matt Moore, General Manager, Rath Eastlink Community Centre

“We are excited for the Down Syndrome World Swimming Championships and the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Masters here in Truro, where we will be hosting some of the most incredible people in the world. These athletes prove that given a chance, they excel. It will add a lot to our social fabric to host these world-class events.”

-          Mayor Bill Mills, Town of Truro

“We are thrilled to be hosting such a high-calibre event here in Colchester County and look forward to welcoming the many athletes and their supporters from around the world. In addition to the international exposure and economic spinoffs that events like this offer, it is particularly gratifying to help provide these very special athletes with the opportunity to compete at such a high level.”   

-          Mayor Christine Blair, Municipality of the County of Colchester

• 2018 will be the first time the World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships will be hosted in North America. 

• More than 200 athletes will be competing from 26 nations, including Canada, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Gibraltar, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kosovo, Mexico, Macao, Portugal, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Turkmenistan and the United States.

• Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling’s Masters will run October 23-28, and will feature 15 of the top men’s teams and 15 of the top women’s teams in the world.

• The Central Nova Civic Centre Society and the Rath Eastlink Community Centre hosted the 2015 Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling, generating $1.9-million for the Nova Scotia economy, and $1.2 million specifically in the Truro area.

• The Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre Society also hosted the 2017 World Junior A Challenge, an annual under-20 international ice hockey tournament sponsored by Hockey Canada, the Canadian Junior Hockey League, and the International Ice Hockey Federation. International participating teams included Russia, Switzerland, the United States and the Czech Republic.

•  The legacy behind the project will be found in the area’s ability to attract more, possibly larger, national and international events in the future. 

Associated links

• Become A Challenger
• Top 10 Shots from 2017-18 Grand Slam of Curling

Alex Smith
Director of Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Phone: 902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
E-mail: alex.smith@canada.ca

Lynette MacLeod
Media Relations Advisor Communities
Culture and Heritage
Cell: 902-229-0785
E-mail: lynette.macleod@novascotia.ca

Nick Sharpe
Director of Partnerships and Events
Rath Eastlink Community Centre
Cell: 902-890-2201
E-mail: nsharpe@ratheastlinkcc.ca

Meghann Cox
Specialist Communications
Rogers Communications Inc.
Phone: 416-258-3296
E-mail: meghann.cox@rci.rogers.com

Mayor Bill Mills
Town of Truro
Cell 902-956-1401
E-mail: bmills@truro.ca

Mayor Christine Blair
Municipality of the County of Colchester
Phone: 902-897-3184
E-mail: mayor@colchester.ca

Dr. Geoff Smedley
President 
Down Syndrome International Swimming Organisation (DSISO)
www.DSISO.org