Hockey Canada to hear bids today

By GREGG DRINNAN
Daily News Sports Editor
The Kamloops bid committee will make its pitch to Hockey Canada today in Calgary, hoping to land the 2013 IIHF World Women’s Championship.
Norm Daley, the chairman of the committee, is joined in Calgary by Mayor Peter Milobar, Byron McCorkell, the director of parks and recreation and cultural services; Barb Berger, the arts, cultural and heritage manager; and Jeff Putnam, the parks, recreation facilities and business operations manager.
The Kamloops bid will be heard last by Hockey Canada’s selection committee, with the Ottawa Senators Sports And Entertainment group up first, followed by Destination St. John’s/Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador.
Hockey Canada's site selection committee comprises Bob Nicholson, Hockey Canada's president/CEO; Ken Corbett, chair of Hockey Canada's Board of Directors; Scott Smith, Hockey Canada's chief operating officer; and Scott Farley, Hockey Canada's vice-president of marketing services and events.
Daley admitted Thursday night that he “always wants to be last” in these situations, but added that he doesn’t know if it will make any difference.
“At the end of the day,” he said, “it seems to be a very, very professional process that they’re going through. I think they are going to listen to every group. I feel comfortable about being last but I don’t know that that necessarily means anything more than the fact I feel good about it.”
Hockey Canada, of course, has been down this bid road many times before and, according to Daley, it shows.
“It’s a very professional process what we’ve gone through to get to this stage,” he said. “I’m really, really impressed with how they’re vetting things and what they’re looking at and talking about . . . it’s interesting.”
The Kamloops quintet arrived in Calgary on Tuesday and spent the afternoon and evening “sitting around reviewing our presentation,” Daley said.
As has been the case since this process began, Daley chose not to reveal any details about the Kamloops, including whether it contains a cash guarantee.
“Those are details of the bid . . . and we have really been reluctant to talk about that type of thing,” he said, adding that “for our community, it’s really important and would be really well received.”
The 2013 tournament, which will feature eight teams, is to be held March 31 through April 9. It will involve 21 games being player over eight days.
This year’s championship is scheduled for Zurich, April 16-25, with next year’s tournament in Burlington, Vt., April 7-14.

gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
     
gdrinnan.blogspot.com
     
Taking Note on Twitter