Curling kicks off in Altona
Posted By Greg Vandermeulen
Posted 28 days ago
The Altona Curling Club will soon be a bustling place, with curling set to begin this week.
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That Altona Curling Club is hoping to bolster low numbers, but are pleased with the amount of club rentals planned for this year.
President Al Friesen told the close to 40 curling enthusiasts at the annual meeting last week, that last year was successful both on the ice and in the financial books.
But this year they are hoping to attract a few more curlers.
“We don’t see growth on the curling side,” he said, adding that issue is not unique to Altona.
However, the Altona Curling Club has ensured there are plenty of ways for people to participate. In addition to mens, ladies and mixed leagues, the club has organized junior curling. Friesen said it’s an affordable and fun way to get involved and learn a new skill. “We supply it all,” he said of the equipment needs. “All they need is clean shoes.”
Registration for the junior curling takes place through the Town of Altona.
The six week program will kick off Nov. 5.
They are expecting similar numbers to last year, (20-28 in 6-9 age group and 8-14 in the 10-14 age group.)
The club is also planning to host a family time, where families can simply show up and curl.
Although some of the clubs resources will always be directed to competitive curling, Friesen said that’s not the only purpose of the club and its members.
“One part is our competitive curling,” he said. “The other part is to try to have a centre where families and people can go to enjoy curling.”
And if anyone out there is interested, Friesen said they should definitely check it out, describing meeting others in the community or from other towns as one of curling’s benefits.
“This is not a club where the doors are closed,” Friesen said.
Although numbers of curlers haven’t been as high as they would like, the Altona Curling Club is pleased with the ways they have adapted to bring in the necessary funds.
The facility is being rented out more often, and Friesen said a core group of people have made the monthly fish fries highly successful. (The season’s first fish fry takes place Nov. 4.)
Blues nights have contributed to the attractiveness of the club as a rental thanks to Ken Penner an Carey Kehler who donated an upgraded sound system worth about $3,500.
Sponsorships have also continued to be strong, and a new lease is being completed.
A reserve fund for club improvements has been established, from the proceeds of junior curling.
Men’s curling this year will likely contain a home and home series with Winkler Curling Club. Last year was the first time this was accomplished and Friesen said it was popular.
The club is also considering whether or not to put in a bid to host the Junior Men’s Bonspiel in fall of 2010.
“It would take a fairly high degree of commitment,” Friesen said. “But this would be the next wave of young hotshots.”
The club executive has also changed. Danny Penner, Anita Penner, Tara Funke and Joanne Buhr have completed their terms.
New executive members include Kim Klassen and Jenn Derksen and continuing members are Al Friesen, Tim Fast - Town of Altona, Jake Bergen - 200 club, Kelly Hildebrand - junior curling, Irene Janz, and Ang Teichroeb.
Two vacancies will be filled before the season begins.
