One thing above all else has put local beach volleyball on the global radar

The major reason North Bay has found itself as a desired destination for beach volleyball organizers and players? The Canor Molson Sand Centre. It's here. As in, always here.

One would be remiss not to mention the brigade of volunteers at each event, the fusion of sports and business sense by Amadeo Bernardi and VSE (Vision Sports & Entertainment), and the often passionate backing of local sports enthusiasts.

The permanency of the venue makes it a sure thing to organizers. The reliability in having an existing structure makes logistical headaches less likely. 

Many beach volleyball events across the country (and globe) are held at venues where the sand is supplied, and little else. Sometimes, there is no sand at all. Everything must be trucked in and set up, and then torn down and shipped out.

The Canor Molson Sand Centre, with its pristine 2015 Pan Am Games sand and "sandbox" show courts, is ready-to-play. If a tournament must be relocated, North Bay has become a location that organizers look to hold a tournament in a pinch.

North Bay is also awarded several big-time events outright. Just this summer the city has hosted OVA events, an NORCECA (North, Central America and Caribbean) Volleyball Confederation tour stop, and the crown jewel of North Bay's sporting summer, the Road to Rio play-in game that decided which Canadian men's team would advance to the just-concluded Summer Olympics.

This weekend, another feather in VSE's cap, with a now-customary seamless hosting of the 2016 Senior Beach Nationals. The tournament featured 10 men's and 12 women's entries. The action throughout the weekend saw an exciting brand of volleyball. Many teams were younger entrants, gearing up for the cycle to attempt to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The women's gold medal was claimed by the up-and-coming duo of Kelsey Veltman and Amanda Harnett. Harnett, just 19, returned to Canada after earning a scholarship to the University of North Dakota. After one season with the indoor team, Harnett has focused her attention on her beach career, and the change in path is looking promising. Veltman and Harnett won a back-and-forth final over Caleigh Cruickshank and Tessa Davis (21-16, 16-21, 15-7).

In men's action, Hugo Rosso and Simon Fecteau-Boutin continued their strong season, rolling over Garrett May and  James Battiston (21-16, 21-15). The winners dominated net play, served effectively and dug up some timely balls to steal some energy-changing points.

Danny Gosselin, Director of Coaching for Vision Volleyball Club, and respected volleyball authority says that having a venue always ready to host landed North Bay the Road to Rio shootout. "We're doing very well for such a young facility. We got to hold the biggest beach volleyball game that Canada's seen in four years. That says so much about the quality of the people here and for the quality of the facility."

Sandra Degraaff, Volleyball Canada's Director, Domestic Competitions said, "We are really happy with it here, it makes it great to come to North Bay and host more and more events. Everything this summer was a huge success."

On the permanence of the Canor Molson Sand Centre, "It's massive that we know what we are walking into. The stress is off. It's also helpful that we can fly in, and it's a quick drive to Toronto. The way of the future is getting out of Toronto and Vancouver, the two major hubs of beach volleyball, a little bit and going out to these tight-knit locations because you can provide so much more of an event."

Degraaff believes there is room for even bigger events in North Bay, a sentiment that Gosselin shares. An FIVB event would be the ultimate prize, but fulfilling NORCECA commitments, and perhaps bidding for an international level event, such as World Under-17s is on the horizon.

"We know the right crew is here to make it happen. NORCECA is always very happy when they do come," added Degraaff.

Olympic success by both the beach and indoor teams had Degraaff excited for the future of volleyball in Canada. "It's been a huge summer. I think that the players might be disappointed in the final results, but we are so happy, and I think they brought beach volleyball to a higher level."