The curling season is on at the Burns Lake curling rink.
Initial concerns that construction work on the arena multi-use facility expansion by Venture Pacific Construction would mean only two of the rink’s three sheets would be available for league play have been overcome. Venture Pacific was able to expedite some work and remove a temporary plywood access deck that was covering one of the sheets.
The upstairs lounge will not be available for league or bonspiel use, but having three sheets available means league players will enjoy a normal season without having to resort to late games.
Last Tuesday, women’s league play got underway with six full teams. Gabriella Hamp, women’s league coordinator, said the league could accommodate more teams if necessary. Hamp is big supporter curling in Burns Lake and she encourages people to come out and give it a try.
“Curling is inexpensive, all you need are clean running shoes,” Hamp added. “The curling club allows the use of brooms and other gear. People should feel free to come out anytime.”
League play is competitive, but Hamp organizes team rosters so that league play is fair and even.
“Men's league play is off to a slow start,” said Kevin White who has been working at getting the league off the ground this year.
“Unless we get more interest in forming men’s teams, we’ll have to try and accommodate the men who have already committed to a spot in the mixed league,” White said.
Enough men came out for regularly scheduled play last Wednesday to form three men teams, but White is looking for at least five teams to make the season work. Six teams would be ideal.
If enough teams can't be formed for a men's league, those that have signed up for league play will probably be absorbed into mixed league play Thursday evenings.
Mixed league has eight teams signed up, but could easily handle two more teams.
There is only one drop-in league at the moment, a senior's league that plays on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The curling club at one time hosted a youth league, but the organizers moved away and nobody has taken up the project.
Logan Wilson, Village of Buns Lake recreation coordinator is looking into funding options for setting up another drop-in league, or a youth drop-in league. He hopes to be able to set a program in motion early in the new year, if funding comes through.
Women's league plays Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m., mixed league is Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., and the senior's drop in league is Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. to noon.
Men's league is Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.