The ice is in and another season of local curling is underway. But it almost didn’t happen.
The Nanaimo Curling Centre on Wall Street has had some tough times recently. The physical plant is old, repairs are needed and club membership took a hit during the time of COVID. Then this past summer it was discovered that the expensive chiller needed to make ice was no longer operational. The season was in jeopardy. Until members rallied to support their club, purchasing nearly $79,000 in debentures to help with the cost of a replacement chiller. That, combined with a City of Nanaimo grant of nearly $68,000 allowed the replacement machinery to be bought and installed last month. Ice could be made and the season was saved.
Now, despite the challenges faced by the club, there is a spirit of optimism in the curling community and there is certainly enthusiasm about the season ahead. Much credit for that goes to the board of directors who are providing strong leadership, led by the positive energy of returning club president Tom Weinreich. Joining Weinreich on the board are vice-president Ron Thompson, secretary Cate Barratt, treasurer Liz Christopher and past-president Mary Ellen Konyer. Warren Paugh is now director of marketing, Bob Palynchuk is director of facilities and director of bonspiels and volunteers is Moira Ryan. Janice Ainsworth is director of fundraising, which will be an important focus this year.
There have been a couple of key staff changes. The board has hired a new facilities manager, Spencer Barnes, while Matt Boll has signed on as head ice technician. Continuing her work coordinating the coffee shop is Linnia Etmannski.
So things are up and running and leagues are getting underway for all ages and abilities.
The club offers a junior curling program of instruction on Monday and Thursdays after school. At various times of the week there are leagues for doubles, triples, novice and experienced curlers at recreational and competitive levels. Men’s, ladies’, mixed and open leagues, leagues for senior men and women and a new variation of the sport called sturling. Something for everyone. And of course the opportunity for bonspiel competition at several times during the season. The first of those will be the NCC Halloween Bonspiel scheduled for Oct. 25-28
This coming Friday, Oct. 4, a free workshop for those wishing to learn basic stick delivery will be held from 7-9 p.m. The following day, Saturday, October 5, will be a free adult introduction to curling workshop from 1:30-4:30 p.m. for beginners to get basic instruction in sliding, sweeping and throwing. Following up on that, the club will offer a 10-week adult novice curling league beginning Monday, Oct. 7. Both on and off-ice coaching will be provided for newcomers wanting an introduction to the sport.
A very special fundraising event will take place at the club on Oct. 19-20. Legendary Canadian curler Kevin Martin will be in town to host an adult curling academy. Martin is a former Olympic, world and four-time Canadian champion and a member of the World Curling Hall of Fame. He is regarded by many as the greatest curler of all time.
Several event packages are available, including an on-ice and off-ice strategy and tactics session with Martin geared for novice curlers. A more advanced package for experienced curlers is also being offered with instruction on and off-ice. Martin will also be playing an exhibition game with and against members of the Nanaimo Curling Centre. Then on the Saturday evening there will be a beer-and-burger night upstairs at the club featuring an after-dinner talk by Martin. It promises to be a fantastic weekend.
For information on any of the events or leagues mentioned above, check out the club website at www.nanaimocurlingclub.ca, or phone the club at 250-753-3474.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.
