By Stephen Dafoe
Morinville – Local curlers will soon be back on the ice for another season of throwing stones and hurrying hard. The Morinville Curling Club will open their doors Sept. 13 for their annual registration night. The event takes place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the curling club lounge at the Ray McDonald Sports Centre.
The club is expecting to see many returning faces this year but are hoping to add some new curlers to the leagues as well. Curling Club member Ron Cust said curling is a social sport that everyone can enjoy. “It is a sport that allows you to visit with your friends and other people that you curl against,” he said, adding competition can be as singular as improving your game or challenging other teams.
Skill is not a requirement. Cust said they have expert instructors, coaches and curlers within the club ready to help newcomers, none of whom will expect new curlers to know all the rules other than the main rule of having fun.
The club is hoping people will realize the game is one for all ages, something emphasized by the fact they have youth, adult and seniors curling leagues taking place this season, as well as bonspiels for each level. Additionally, the club holds a day each year where junior curlers curl with and against their parents.
“The Morinville Curling Club welcomed with open arms three new curling teams comprised of very young new curlers who just had a blast curling with each other, joking around, and competing for the double awards sign for a free round of drinks awarded nightly,” Cust said. “The age of curlers vary more then people realize and certainly in the city, the young people are taking to the sport like never before.”
Beyond being open to all age and experience levels, Cust said the Morinville club boasts one of the best icemakers in the Edmonton area and a sports lounge with big screen TVs to relax, visit, play some cards or roll the dice. “If you want to watch the game after your game is done, you can do so from any of the 16 cameras broadcasting each game from 16 angles from the ice,” he said. “Bring family and they can watch you on TV curling.” Cust said spectators are always welcome bring their children to watch if accompanied by an adult.
The open house and registration night is Sept. 13 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information contact Keith Franklin at 780-939-6727.
