Tennis Canada eyeing Halifax as possible Davis Cup host
Tennis officials expect to know which city will play host by July 19
World-class tennis could return to Halifax this September if the municipality gets to host an event in the Davis Cup, the sport's most important team event.
Canada is ranked 12th and must win a playoff to remain in the upper echelon of the competition.
The opposing team has not yet been determined, and only then will Canada know if it will be the host country.
A growing sport in Halifax
Halifax last hosted the Davis Cup in 2014 when Canada defeated Colombia.
Niagara Falls, Ont., and Toronto have also expressed interest in holding this year's matchup, but Tennis Canada wants to return to Halifax.
"Tennis is a growing sport in Halifax," said Kelly Murumets, Tennis Canada's president and CEO, in a letter to Halifax officials. "Increasing participation and awareness is a priority for Tennis Canada."
Around 15,000 people watched the tennis matches at the Scotiabank Centre in 2014. Tennis officials hope to increase the number of spectators to 20,000.
$50K grant proposed for Tennis Canada
Halifax's special events advisory committee is recommending regional council approve a $50,000 grant for Tennis Canada if the Davis Cup does return.
"It was a wonderful event a couple of years ago." said Coun. Steve Craig, chairman of the committee. "So it would be a great thing to do."
Tennis officials expect to know on July 19 which country Canada will play and who will be the host.
Corrections
- Halifax hosted the Davis Cup in 1998 and 2014. A previous version of this story contained incorrect information. This version has been corrected.Jul 06, 2016 2:56 PM AT