The Carnduff Curling Club has received a boost after winning a provincial contest.
Carnduff finished first in the Affinity Credit Union Season of Curling competition. The Stoughton Curling Club was second and the Swift Current Curling Club came in third.
To enter, clubs submitted a video with players explaining what curling means to them.
In the case of Carnduff, they not only answered the question and had footage of the four-sheet rink, but they had music playing in the background, as members explained that curling offers a sense of community, a chance to play a sport for everyone, exercise, teamwork, competition and socializing.
Jodie Wall, the recreation director and facilities manager with the Carnduff Rec. Board, said they decided to enter the contest for fun, to promote the sport and get excitement going since the rink was open just briefly in 2020-21.
“We have very few things that we can get the community excited about pertaining to curling, so it was nice to have something directed for it,” said Wall.
The video turned out great, with members who stepped up and helped out, she said.
CurlSask selected the video and Affinity Credit Union sponsored the competition.
The $2,000 prize couldn’t have come at a better time for the rink. They weren’t able to open for very long this season. And since they didn’t have a junior program this year, they couldn’t have the rink open for youth curlers to practise like other facilities did.
Prior to the season being shut down at the end of November, they were doing pretty well.
“We’re always looking for new members,” said Wall. “We would love to be able to curl more than what we do. We have one solid league night and we’ve got an afternoon curling program for anyone that’s available to come in the afternoon. It’s mainly been seniors, but it’s not limited to seniors.”
Typically during the season, they would be open three days a week, and they would also be open for rentals and there would be bonspiels. They have had junior programs in the past, but this year, due to COVID and a lack of coaching, they didn’t have the program.
A return of their junior program will be a goal for next season, she said.
