CurlManitoba Executive Director Craig Baker has announced the 2017 Viterra Championship will be hosted by Portage Curling Club and played at Portage Credit Union Centre, the community’s 2,000+ capacity arena.

The announcement was made Friday at the 2016 Viterra Championship in Selkirk.

"CurlManitoba is excited to be going back to Portage which hosted a very successful Scotties Tournament of Hearts in 2012,” Baker said. “At that time, we made the decision that we wanted to bring the men’s championship to the PCU Centre at the earliest opportunity. We expect the second Viterra Championship to rival or surpass the success achieved in 2012 with the Scotties."

Speaking on behalf of Viterra, Corporate Affairs Director Jeff Cockwill said Viterra is delighted with the hosting agreement reached by CurlManitoba and the Portage Curling Club. “As curling fans, we know it will be a great venue for the Viterra Championship and that we will be treated to exceptional curling. As a major agricultural player in Manitoba, we are delighted to bring this showcase event into such a significant agricultural community so early in our tenure as title sponsor,” Cockwill said.

In addition to hosting the 2012 Scotties, Portage previously hosted the Manitoba Men’s Championship in 2003 (won by John Bubbs) and in 1999 (won by Jeff Stoughton). “We are very pleased to once again be hosting the men’s championship,” said Portage Curling Club President Jared Munro. “We are excited by the prospect of hosting the new generation of elite Manitoba curlers who will be competing in the 2017 Viterra Championship.”

The Portage Curling Club has announced that their host committee will be co-chaired by Tom Hyde and Allen Dahl.