BIGGAR - A Biggar revitalization campaign has received another major endorsement, this time from the curling world.
TSN curling broadcaster Vic Rauter lent his support in a video posted on the Town of Biggar website. Rauter shot the video from SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, where the Canadian Olympic curling trials were underway last week.
“Of course, we know Biggar, that iconic sign when you drive in ‘New York is Big but this is Biggar,’” said Rauter in the video.
“And, of course, Biggar to curling fans will always be the home of the legendary Sandra Schmirler, the three-time Canadian, three-time world champion; of course, the 1998 Olympic gold medal winner. And in this generation of curlers, Robyn Silvernagle and Colton Flasch, of course their home is Biggar, Saskatchewan.”
Folks in the Battlefords might raise their eyebrows over that statement as they also claim Silvernagle as one of their own. While the champion curler and her team are now based out of the Battlefords' Twin Rivers Curling Club, Silvernagle was born and raised in Biggar.
In his video message, Rauter urged people to get involved and make a donation to the revitalization, and thanked Biggar for their support of TSN and of curling.
This is the second celebrity endorsement of the Biggar revitalization campaign, after actor Kim Coates made a video supporting the effort earlier this year.
The town is looking to revamp and upgrade its downtown core and Main Street, and transform its CNR grounds into a multi-use park and tourist area.
Former Biggar residents, Wayne and Ina Lou Brownlee, have committed matching funds of $2.5 million to the revitalization, with the community tasked with a goal of raising the remaining $2.5 million.
In an interview scheduled to air on Access Now TV, Biggar’s Community Development Officer D’Shae Bussiere reported the community fundraising effort has now raised $1.6 million, which means they have less than $1 million to go towards reaching their target.
More information can be found at the Town of Biggar's revitalization project page.
