Ottawa to host Tim Hortons Brier in 2016

Ottawa will host the 2016 Tim Hortons Brier, the first time the city has held Canada's premier men's curling event since 2001.

The annual curling championships will be held at TD Place from March 5-13 in 2016.

The 12-team tournament features 11 provincial and territorial teams, as well as the reigning Team Canada champion.

It's the first time the city has hosted the tournament since Alberta's Randy Ferbey won in 2001 in the same building, then named the Ottawa Civic Centre.

"We've waited a long time to hear the words 'Ottawa, home of the Tim Hortons Brier," said Elaine Brimicombe, past-president of the Ottawa Valley Curling Association, which represents 45 curling clubs in the Ottawa area. 

"You can't miss an event like that ... it's a great opportunity to attend top level curling here," said Serge Labonte, a recreational curler at the Ottawa Curling Club.

TD Place an "ideal venue" for Brier: Watson

Since 2011, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has made hosting more big events, including sporting events, a priority for the city's tourism industry, adopting what he calls a "bid more, win more, host more" strategy.

On Wednesday, Watson spoke glowingly about the "iconic Canadian sporting event" and called TD Place — part of the revitalized Lansdowne Park — the "ideal venue to host the Brier."

"I think it's not only really great for job creation, it's also great for a sense of pride," Watson said. "We have the best curlers in the country coming here in 2016. They're going to be role models for the next generation of curlers."

The tournament is expected to attract tens of thousands of spectators. About 150,000 came to watch in 2001. Watson said it will generate about $15 million in economic activity.

The mayor had earlier this year met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman about his desire for Canada's capital to host an outdoor classic at TD Place, coinciding with Canada’s 150th birthday celebration.

The city hosted the 2012 NHL All-Star game and is one of six host cities for the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2015.

Watson has also expressed a desire to have Ottawa host the Grey Cup in 2017.