They knew it would be big - but not this big.
By noon on Monday, almost 1,200 event passes had been sold for the 1999 SaskPower Scott Tournament of Hearts which gets underway tonight with opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. in the Weyburn Colosseum.
"We knew we'd get a good response," said host committee chairperson Linda Porth, "but this is rather overwhelming."
Part of the reason for that, Porth said, is the growing interest in women's curling in the wake of the national Scott which was held in Regina last year. Another obvious attraction at this year's event is the presence of three past provincial champions and two former junior provincial champions as well.
"We were hoping to see at least some of these here," Porth said, adding that Saskatchewan is enjoying a growing reputation for having some of the top women's teams in the country.
Much of that reputation is thanks to Regina's Sandra Schmirler and her rink of Jan Betker, Joan McCusker and Marcia Gudereit, who won the first-ever Gold medal in women's curling at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Schmirler, who is a three-time provincial Scott champion, won the Canadian and world titles in 1993, 1994 and 1997.
Schmirler advanced to Weyburn from the Southern Playdowns held in Maple Creek this past weekend along with fellow Reginans Michelle Ridgway and Atina Ford and Moose Jaw's Cindy Street.
Street is a former provincial junior champion and was a member of the 1992 national junior championship team while Ford has won at both the provincial and national junior levels. Ridgway will be going for her fifth provincial Scott title this year after last winning in 1992.
Representing the North will be Patty Rocheleau of Saskatoon, Laurie Ann Calcutt of Yorkton, Debbie Thierman of Prince Albert and two-time provincial champion Sherry Anderson from Delisle.
The first draw of the round robin will take place tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Colosseum following the opening ceremonies. Subsequent draws are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday, 9:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday and 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Tie-breakers, if necessary, will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
The semifinal will be either at 7 p.m. Saturday or 9:30 a.m. Sunday, depending on tie-breakers. The final draw is at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Event passes are $40 while day passes are $10. Admission per draw is $6.
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