Canada’s men and women’s curling teams both won gold medals for the first time in the Winter Olympics. There is no bigger stage in the world than the Olympics to get people talking about curling.
Canada’s men and women’s curling teams both won gold medals for the first time in the Winter Olympics. There is no bigger stage in the world than the Olympics to get people talking about curling.
The men won the gold on a Friday morning and that very night, a total of two people showed up to play at the Shawville Curling Club. I was one of them. I believe the squash court was seeing more people coming and going. Curling was cancelled. So much for Olympic excitement.
I am a member of the club and also on the Board of Directors. I get my fair share of curling during the week. For that reason, I will admit, my outings on Fridays have been few this season. But I have been out and enjoyed it.
What about others who could play? Hockey comes first? Winter weather? Fatigue? Low interest levels? Busy schedule? Family commitments? Cost?
The Curling Club recently made changes to their Friday nights. It’s now a pick-up style game. You show up by a certain time and want to play? They will find a place on a team for you. You are not a member of the club? That’s ok too. You can give the game a whirl for $10. What can you get for $10 these days? The Friday night game is free if you are a member.
I’ve been with the club for a few years now. I still haven’t fully grasped everything about the game but overall, it’s the people I’ve met that make it worthwhile and fun. It’s been something to do during these long winter months.
Maybe it’s just a sign of the times and dwindling population numbers. Places, businesses, service clubs and events are slowly fading. Within the last few years there’s not enough hockey players for a midget tournament. That tournament was something that went on for over 30 years in Shawville.
The recent Community Bonspiel, the biggest event for the Club’s season, is still going strong with 54 teams – and is kept going by members of the bonspiel committee who organize it. Plenty of help is also given from those willing to be a part of it and support the club. The bonspiel is not at its peak of 72 teams, though. People are planning on changing that in the future for the better. Who knows what will happen?
The club has been around for over 90 years. Many people have played long before I ever got involved. It just seems unfortunate that the ice appears to be slowly going dark on a Friday night. It’s not quite a gold medal win. Perhaps there can be a silver lining to be found… somewhere.
Scott Campbell
SHAWVILLE
