WESTLOCK — The Westlock Curling Club is calling all curlers as they prepare for a Nov. 1 start to a milestone season as the club is entering its 50th year in existence at its current location.
The club’s annual general meeting, along with team registration and new player sign up, goes tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 21, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the curling rink. Club president Erin Wiese said there are currently seven board members with a few positions available they are looking to fill.
“We’re looking specifically for a secretary and anybody that’s interested in being a director board member we’ll welcome,” she said.
Last year, the club had about 64 curlers in the regular leagues, with additional curlers from out of town participating in the annual bonspiels. The club will be bringing back its Tuesday and Thursday leagues and is looking to introduce some new leagues this year.
“Our Tuesday league is the standard league and is a bit more competitive and Thursday league is a little bit more fun, it’s a little more casual,” she said, adding the leagues are co-ed and are for all ages from youth to seniors.
“I think the great thing about curling is you can participate no matter what age you are or gender and everyone is equal on the ice — it’s a very accessible sport,”
The club is also planning on a one-day fun bonspiel Nov. 5 as a way for interested residents to come out and try the sport. The all-day spiel is a new addition and will include equipment rentals and a meal at the conclusion.
“It’s open to anyone. It’s going to be short games and lots of fun,” she said. “If you’re interested in curling come out and try it that day.”
The club is celebrating a milestone this year with its 50th anniversary in the current building and they plan to hold a celebration in late December to mark the occasion.
“Numbers were definitely down a bit after COVID-19 so we’re hoping to get numbers back up,” said Wiese, noting they are also working on getting a drop-in senior league going in the afternoons during the week this season. “I believe there’s quite a bit of interest from the schools to have an after-school junior league again, so we’re hoping to get that rolling again as well,” she said.
The club is also staring the new season with a new website www.westlockcurling.com and interested curlers can find more information there or can contact Wiese at 780-307-6723.
