This group of volunteers from Osoyoos donated long hours, but thoroughly enjoyed their time at the 2018 Scottie’s Tournament of Hearts, held at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton last week. The local group of volunteers included (from left) John and Nancy Katerenchuk, Fred and Sandra Perrin and Shirley and Ken Baker. (Keith Lacey photo)

A group of volunteers from Osoyoos said being able to mix, mingle and watch some of the best female curlers in the country – or anywhere in the world for that matter – was a labour of love.

A group of nine volunteers from Osoyoos put forward their names to volunteer doing various duties as the 2018 Scottie’s Tournament of Hearts took over the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC) in Penticton last week.

This past Saturday morning, six of those volunteers gathered to conduct an interview with the Osoyoos Times and relate their experiences over the course of the week-long national curling bonspiel.

John and Nancy Katerenchuk, Fred and Sandra Perrin and Ken and Shirley Baker all agreed to donate more than 30 hours of volunteer time as a group of more than 320 volunteers who had signed up to ensure the Scottie’s Tournament of Hearts would be a huge success.

John Katerenchuk volunteered in the transportation department as he transported curlers and other key organizers to various venues throughout the week, while his wife worked in the information booth throughout the week.

Fred Perrin worked in the Heart Stop Lounge, where curlers and curling fans gathered throughout the week to watch the curling, have a couple of refreshments, enjoy some music and generally have a great time. His wife worked on the opening and closing ceremonies committee.

Ken and Shirley Baker both volunteered long hours working as hospitality hosts in the Heart Stop Lounge.

Three other Osoyoos volunteers also took part, including town councillor Carol Youngberg (transportation), Sharlene Fernandes (50-50 sales) and Shirley James (souvenirs).

Nancy Katerenchuk said she and her husband, a longtime president of the board with the Osoyoos International Curling Club, have volunteered at numerous national curling championships over the years.

“We volunteered when the Intercontental Cup was held in Penticton a few years ago and also at several Briers when they were held in Alberta over the years,” she said. “It’s fun, you get to meet a lot of wonderful people and you get to watch some outstanding curling.

“We both really enjoy being part of a big event like this and the time flies when you’re having fun, so we really enjoy it.”

Fred Perrin said he and his wife, who are enjoying their fourth consecutive winter in Osoyoos as snowbirds from Saskatchewan, saw a television advertisement asking for volunteers to step up to help run the Scottie’s tournament and they didn’t hesitate.

“As soon as we saw the TV ad, we knew we were going to be part of this,” he said.

The volunteer hours flew by and they got to meet some wonderful people and watch some outstanding curling, he said.

Ken and Shirley Baker have spent many volunteer hours helping organize various events at the Osoyoos curling club and volunteering for the Scottie’s was an easy decision for both of them.

“We try and help out whenever we can at the big events in Osoyoos and we thought volunteering for this big event would be a great way to give back to the community,” said Shirley.

While the Heart Stop Lounge was relatively quiet during the week, things picked up substantially over this past weekend when large crowds packed into the SOEC to watch the playoffs and championship final match, which was broadcast across the country on TSN.

“Curling fans like to have a lot of fun and the ones from Saskatchewan are definitely the rowdiest,” she said.

Being able to be part of a huge sporting event like this made the long volunteer hours more than worth it, she said.

“Events like this can’t function without volunteers and we’re just happy to have been able to do our little part to make the event a big success,” she said.

KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times