Moose Jaw is once again hosting the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in February 2020, and City Council is already getting ready for the big event. 

When the tournament was last held in Moose Jaw back in 2015, more than 70 thousand fans attended throughout the weeklong event.

On Tuesday at the regular meeting of City Council, councillors discussed parking near Mosaic Place for the tournament, since that became a bit of an issue in 2015. 

City administration suggested to council to offer free busing services for anyone with a Scotties ticket to park-and-ride to the event. Councillors also discussed implementing a one-hour parking zone on the 300 unmetered block of High Street W.  

Some council members pointed out that the free bus service was not utilized in 2015 as expected. 

"It's my understand that it was offered, but there wasn't much uptake," said city manager Jim Puffalt. "We don't have any information about why there wasn't that much uptake."

However, other councillors suggested that more advertising this year could encourage more ridership. 

"It's about being hospitable and welcoming others within our community," said Mayor Fraser Tolmie. "This is a great thing for our community, we’re very proud of it. We did a good job at the last event and that’s why they looked at coming back. The least we can do is be hospitable and give them a bus ride."  

Coun. Chris Warren brought up some of the challenges that local business owners close to Mosaic Place faced during the tournament in 2015.

"I believe that especially some of the businesses most affected, they're in favour of this one-hour parking zone. I think the important piece will be the enforcement piece."

Council voted in favour of offering ride-and-park bus services and enforcing a one-hour parking zone on the 300 block of High St. W. from Feb. 14 - 23, 2020.