The Burns Lake Curling Club will attempt to continue operating their lounge at the Lakeside Multiplex this season if the Village of Burns Lake gives them a reduction in rent fees.
Around 25 members of the curling club met last Thursday at the lounge to discuss their future. The main issues of contention for the group were social in nature and involved whether they should keep the curling club lounge going and if the stairs leading to and from the bar is safe enough to accommodate people walking up and down them after a post-game beverage.
After much debate the group eventually decided to ask the village to reduce their $500 a month rent for the lounge in half on a new 12-month lease. The stairs leading to the lounge remain a work in progress as the cost to lengthen them and then subsequently bring the stairs up to present-day B.C. Building Code standards would be a costly project.
Kevin White, president of the curling club, said club treasurer Sandy Dore will be meeting with village staff this week to submit their rental proposal for agreement. He said when the lounge may open to patrons is unknown considering their plea for a reduced rate is yet to be accepted.
White said there are a few people on the executive that have the training and a certificate that is needed to serve alcohol on regular league days and running the bar shouldn't be a problem. He confirmed bonspiels could be an issue because the lounge would be open longer and they'd need more people to serve, so they'll look further into a solution for this.
"A big part of the curling community is the social aspect of it," said White. "It's always been a social aspect that I think draws people to it to start with and then as they start to enjoy the game they become more competitive."
White said membership at the club did go down into the forties last year, but that had to do with the ongoing renovations to the multiplex. He said the high number of people who came to their meeting last Thursday shows the curling scene in Burns Lake is strong and they will continue to try to drum up more memberships before the Oct. 4 grand opening of the Lakeside Multiplex that starts with a 11 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony.
"We have an opportunity to put some people on the ice and maybe give some new curlers a chance to see what they think," he said about opening day. "It'll be free. There will be no cost involved."