Nancy Katerenchuk, the secretary on the board of directors with the Osoyoos International Curling Club, shows off many improvements made to the ice area over the past few months, including new carpeting and painting on the walls. The 2017-18 curling season begins with registration this week and league play starting in early October. (Keith Lacey photo)
Local curlers will be showing off their skills at the new and improved Osoyoos International Curling Club with curling season kickoff this week for the 2017-18 season.
Three years ago, the Osoyoos International Curling Club applied for a Western Economic Diversification Canada grant entitled “Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program,” said club secretary Nancy Katerenchuk. “This would be a 50/50 agreement between the program and the Curling Club. This grant turned out to be such a benefit to the club which was built in 1975 and needed some major renovations.
“All activities have now been completed and we are thrilled with the results, especially our ice area upgrade.”
The club’s board of directors had originally voted to spend the money to remove the old carpet and install new carpeting, but that changed when it was discovered the sidewalk boards were over 70 per cent rotted out, she said.
“After over 400 volunteer hours from our members, the sidewalk boards have been rebuilt and new puck board was also installed around the ice sheets. The renovations were just completed and everything looks fantastic. Huge kudos to everyone involved.”
There were other renovations that took place such as painting and installation of new LED lights in the ice area.
New carpet was also installed in the lounge area, new signage and painting covers the north and west walls, said Katerenchuk.
“Our mandate is to continue improving the club and creating a welcoming environment for our curlers and future curlers,” she said. “Thank you also to the Town of Osoyoos for continuing to support the club through their Community Grant program.”
Registration for the upcoming season took place Tuesday and Wednesday evening and all leagues will start up in the next week or two, said club president Ron Doucette.
“We’re all ready to go for another year,” said Doucette.
Once again, the men’s league will run Tuesday evening, the mixed league will run on Wednesday evening, ladies night will take place on Thursday night.
The daytime curling league is open to adult men and women of any age who choose to play during the day for whatever reason, said Doucette.
The daytime league runs Monday and Thursday and participants can play in one or both leagues. Participants can curl from October to December, January to March or for the full season between October and March.
Teams will be put together according to curling experience and position.
Two-person stick curling has grown immensely in popularity over the past four years and will continue each Monday evening starting at 7 p.m.
The Osoyoos curling club will continue to offer an active junior program, said Doucette.
The goals are to provide a venue for organized games between junior curlers under age 18, introduce young people to curling and develop skills, he said.
The club is always looking for spares for league play and spares are needed for all leagues, said Katerenchuk.
Doucette said he’s expecting more than 150 people to sign up as members for the upcoming season.
“We’re hoping to get our regular numbers and hopefully get a few new people on board,” said Doucette. “The more the merrier for sure.”
For more information about the upcoming curling season, contact Katerenchuk at 250-495-4008 or visit online at www.osoyooscurlingclub.com.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
