Brier Patch brings people together

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This article was published 08/03/2019 (2021 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Filled with the joyous cacophony of people enjoying their favourite sport while enjoying each other’s company, the Brier Patch has been one of the busiest spots at the Keystone Centre during the 2019 Tim Hortons Brier.

“If you don’t have fun at a Brier Patch, then you’re not trying very hard,” Thunder Bay-based curler and seasoned veteran of the Patch Fred Coulson said.

What has become a Brier tradition, the patch was born in Brandon back in 1982, as a way to give people who couldn’t get their hands on tickets a chance to watch curling games on closed-circuit televisions.

It has become a staple of the Brier ever since and has even been added to every Curling Canada event.

Coulson has been going to the Brier Patch ever since its inception.

However, at the start, he was hesitant to embrace the tradition, because of the effect it had on local curlers in host cities.

“It took away from the club hosting the teams and the spectators being able to go together to the clubs and enjoy a good night out,” Coulson said.

Now though, the Patch has proven to be the perfect place to take in a draw, given that it features a massive sound system paired with two giant televisions.

“I watch a lot of games in my later years now on the TVs in the Patch,” Coulson said.

One can visit the Brier Patch every day of the event to enjoy live entertainment, live draw coverage when games are played and fun parlour games such as tabletop curling.

One cannot help but make friends when they visit the Patch, as the love of curling brings groups together.

The Patch serves as a type of reunion, Coulson said, often bringing together friends from across Canada to celebrate the sport they love.

“You get to socialize and have a good time.”

The Brandon Brier Patch has proven to be a great facility, Coulson said, as it is huge with lots of room, plenty of seating with a special spot for everyone.

Hoping to see a few more televisions added at the next Patch, Coulson said his only complaint was that there were not enough screens with curling on the walls.

“I think that would have made people happy; I’ve heard quite a few comments about that,” Coulson said.

A typical Brier Patch, Coulson said the best part of celebrating in Brandon has been the people.

“If you’re coming to a Brier, that’s one of the reasons I’ve kept going, is to see people,” Coulson said.

One is filled with a sense of effervescent comradery as old friends come together and new friends are made at the Brier Patch.

The enjoyment of curling is only enhanced by sitting with friends to watch the big screens, Brandonite Barb Strutt said.

“I love the curling,” Strutt said.

Attending games in the Westoba Place arena early in the week, the Brier Patch was the place to be when she did not have tickets.

“It’s bigger than watching at home,” Strutt said.

Adding to the experience, Strutt had the chance to meet all the teams playing in the Brier in person at the Patch, meet-and-greets and the “Up Close and Personal” question and answers events featured at centre stage.

Having the opportunity to take photos was the best part for Strutt, including a very special picture with Alberta curler Kevin Martin, named the greatest male skip of all time by TSN on Thursday.

“He’s my all-time favourite curler,” Strutt said. “I like it here, it’s a good place.”

» ckemp@brandonsun.com

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