The Port Arthur Curling Centre is hosting northwestern Ontario’s first Pride Bonspiel (curling tournament).

Tourism Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission supplied $5,000 in funding from the CEDC Tourism Event Fund.

The event kicks off at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and runs until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

“In the last couple of years the PACC Board of Directors has been working very hard to build a more inclusive atmosphere,” said the Port Arthur Curling Centre in a release. “For the TBAY Pride Spiel, we have partnered with organizations like ‘United We Curl’ and ‘Rainbow Collective’ to create a unique and welcoming curling experience for all participants. We look forward to capping off our season with this wonderful new event and hope to grow off its success with the potential for new league offerings and the return of the TBAY Pride Spiel next season.”

The centre added that PACC is expecting to welcome curlers from all over Canada and the United States.