With a new season just about to get underway, it has been a busy time of preparation for the folks down at the Nanaimo Curling Centre.
Manager Denise Wood, head ice technician Darren Horton and others have been working hard to get everything organized for the year ahead. The eight sheets of ice are ready and in fact as of today (Sept. 24) the ice is available for returning curlers to practise on. Some teams have already registered and others can do that this weekend.
Next Monday and Wednesday will feature novice clinics for new curlers from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and intermediate tune-up clinics will be held during those same hours on Tuesday.
The club’s leagues will officially get started on Oct. 1 and from that point on there will be things happening just about every day for the next six months at the centre.
Monday mornings during the upcoming season will begin with the CIBC Wood Gundy senior 68-plus men’s league, followed in the afternoon by the senior ladies’ league and junior curling. Starting in the evening is the Sleeman Six Pack league, with teams of six players playing six-end games. At night a ladies’ rink-of-choice league takes the ice.
On Tuesdays, things start with the CIBC Wood Gundy senior 55-plus men’s league. Later in the afternoon, a business ladies’ league sponsored by Alina Abbott Images begins. Tuesday evenings feature an open men’s league.
Wheelchair curling will again be offered this season on Wednesday mornings, with the curling centre proud to be totally wheelchair accessible. A senior mixed league follows, and then a popular senior open rink-of-choice league. At night, the Almost Famous Friendly Five open league has the ice first, then a novice adult recreational league that features instruction and strategy sessions as well as game play. This learn-to-curl program for adults is scheduled to run for 10 weeks as a fun introduction to the sport.
The Thursday daily schedule begins with the senior men’s 68-plus league. A women’s league has the ice in the early afternoon. Later, the ice is shared by Special Olympics curling and the junior curling program. Then at night, a popular men’s open league has its games.
Senior men 55-plus take the ice again on Fridays mornings and early afternoons and after school is the Tutor Doctor District 68 open league. Following that, the Investors Group mixed league features draws at night.
Saturdays during the season are often taken up with bonspiels or other competitions. Sunday mornings are reserved for the men’s Hangover League which begins bright and early. Practice ice is usually available on Sunday afternoons. Also during the afternoons is the Little Rockers program for young beginning curlers.
To learn more or to register, contact the curling centre at 250-753-3474. There really are leagues for all ages and levels of ability. And returning club members should also be aware that the centre is now offering incentives for members who refer new curlers.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.
