The 2027 Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s (SHSAA) Provincial Curling Championships are coming to Yorkton, Melville, and Saltcoats, with the announcement made Tuesday at the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce. The provincials will bring together some of the province’s top high school curlers, with competitions set to take place in the Parkland area from March 5-6, 2027. A banquet recognizing the young athletes will kick off the championship the evening before. At the local level, approximately 150 schools begin the road to provincials, advancing through playdowns, district, and regional competitions. By the time teams reach provincials, the field will be narrowed to 32 teams, representing about 160 students from Grades 8 to 12. In Yorkton, eight boys and eight girls teams will compete, while the mixed division will be hosted in Melville and the open doubles competition in Saltcoats. David Baron, one of the organizers, said the event is both a celebration of the sport and an opportunity to give back to the community. “Well, it’s my partner and I who are co-organizing this, because Yorkton has been very good to us. We wanted to give something back to Yorkton,” he told CTV News on Tuesday. He added the decision to organize the event was rooted in a desire to support local youth. “[Participants] are some of the best young curlers in Saskatchewan. Guys like Mike McEwen and Colton Flash, so world-class curlers started at this level. [Participants] may not be there yet, but you’re going to see some of those kids in very early in their development,” Baron explained, referring to prairie-based curlers. Competition will take place over two days, in four categories: boys, girls, mixed, and open doubles. “We’re going to start Thursday night with a banquet to recognize those kids. Competitions are on Friday and Saturday,” Baron said. Beyond the competition itself, organizers said the event is meant to showcase Yorkton and the surrounding region while promoting the sport of curling. A unique aspect of the planning process is the involvement of a student committee, giving local youth an opportunity to develop leadership skills while helping organize a provincial-level event. With 32 teams expected from across Saskatchewan, organizers hope the championship will highlight both the strength of high school curling and the hospitality of east-central Saskatchewan.
