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Curling club hopes for bump in local interest

Following Meridian Canadian Open
WEINMASTER

The Meridian Canadian Open event being held in Yorkton has brought some of the best curlers in the world to the city.

That has been a great opportunity for area fans of curling to watch the best of the sport compete live.

But, the greatest benefit of having the event locally could be its legacy of growing interest in curling that translates into more people involved in the Yorkton Curling Club.

“We have 180 volunteers not only club members but from around the community who wanted to step up for this,” said Neil Weinmaster manager of the local club. “We hope that will spin-off to create some interest in our own club.”

Having the world’s best in the city is also something of a motivation for local curlers, in particular juniors who can see the best in action and aspire to that level, offered Weinmaster, after spending time cleaning and preparing the arena curling ice between draws Friday, a natural job for someone who is also the ice technician in Yorkton.

“This is a great event. We have 16 ladies and 16 men’s teams in the world in Yorkton. That doesn’t happen very often,” he said.

“We are seeing through the schools Juniors are getting interested in the sport,” he said, adding that schools are building on that this week through the Canadian Open.

“The weather had depressed it a little bit, but we’ve had schools coming in every day ... to learn about the sport and see professionals play.”

Weinmaster said while the world’s best are inspirational, he added curling in Yorkton is for players of all levels, including the inexperienced newcomer. He said he realizes some might be intimated and think “I’m not good enough to curl in Yorkton,” but that is not the case.

“Years ago we had more competitive teams. Now it’s more of a fun, social night out with most of our leagues,” he offered. “It’s not important to curl well, or to feel out of place if you don’t curl well.”

It helps the game has evolved too. For those who find getting down into the hack difficult a ‘delivery stick’ is now useable in casual play. The stick allows players to deliver stones in much the same manner as shuffleboard on a ship.

“That has kept a lot of people curling,” said Weinmaster. “If you have some issue where it’s difficult to slide the delivery stick is a great tool.”

While it is January, well into curling season, Weinmaster said it is not too late to get involved with the Yorkton club this season.

“We have a great opportunity Friday nights with drop-in curling for juniors,” he said. Players can come out on nights they are free, get put on a team and be out on the ice playing.

Friday night is also family drop-in curling.

“They will be operating all season long,” said Weinmaster, adding “it gives people an opportunity to come out when they can’t commit to a league.”