March 22, 2006

GRAND FORKS, ND. - Ralph Engelstad Arena in conjunction with the Grand Forks Curling Club, are proud to announce that the Greater Grand Forks community will once again be on a world-wide stage. The World Curling Federation, during its Annual Meeting in Paisley, Scotland has confirmed that the 2008 Men's World Curling Championships will be held at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The tournament will take place in April with exact dates to be determined.

Twelve countries will be competing in the ten day tournament at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The event is also one of three qualifying events for the 2010 Olympics which will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Similar to the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, the Men's World Curling Championships is traditionally held every other year in Canada due to its consistent sell-out crowds and financial success.

Finalist for the 2008 championships included Cortina, Italy, Gangneung, South Korea and Grand Forks, ND. The bid committee which traveled to Scotland to conduct the presentation included Chris Semrau (Director of Events, Ralph Engelstad Arena), Joe Litzinger (President, Grand Forks Curling Club), and Don Barcome, Jr. (President, Forks Classic Events).

"We would not have been successful without the consistent success over the past five years from the Grand Forks City Government, The Chamber of Commerce, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and numerous regional businesses," said Joe Litzinger, President, Grand Forks Curling Club. "Without their belief in this vision, the championships would not be possible."