ST. PAUL - The Sentinel Storage Alberta Scotties Tournament of Hearts is just days away, and the Clancy Richard Arena in St. Paul is in the process of being transformed into a curling rink, getting ready to host the top eight women's curling teams in Alberta.
With meetings taking place nearly every night of the week leading up to the start of the event, St. Paul Curling Club President Troy Bohn says organizers are busy "putting all the pieces together." The event will run from Jan. 24 to 28.
Teams competing at the Tournament of Hearts:
- Team Gray-Withers of the Saville Community Sports Centre
- Team Hartwell of the Sherwood Park Curling Club
- Team Hunkin of the Spruce Grove Curling Club
- Team Kaufman of the Thistle Curling Club
- Team Richards of the Saville Community Sports Centre
- Tream Skrlik of the Garrison Curling Club (represented Alberta last year at the 2023 national Tournament of Hearts)
- Team Sturmay of the Saville Community Sports Centre
- Team Vaughan of the Lethbridge Curling Club
Both Team Richards and Team Gray-Withers are made up of University of Alberta students.
With the finishing touches now being made to host the provincial event in St. Paul, Bohn says the support from the community throughout the process has been amazing. Volunteers have stepped up to help, and a long list of sponsors have also supported the event.
And while some businesses could not support the event financially, many did offer discounts and other support, making for a long list of community partners.
"It all helps," says Bohn.
The Town of St. Paul has also been supportive, filling in the gaps when required, and the St. Paul Ag Society has also been a big help.
Starting on Monday, the town's largest arena will begin the process of transforming into a curling rink.
Opening ceremonies for the tournament will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday evening and is free for the public to attend. Local junior curlers will also play a part in the ceremonies. The first draw is set to take place that night at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are required to stay for the draw.
Bohn expects support of the event through attendance will also be impressive. On Thursday morning, sponsor-a-school-day will see hundreds of students from across the area attend the event. And while organizers knew the day would be a popular one, Bohn says he is amazed that there are already 700 students confirmed to attend.
“That’ll be a fun and loud one."
On Friday morning, a senior draw will welcome seniors to the rink. Anyone 60 years old and over will be able to attend that draw free of charge.
The weekend will also include some local entertainment on Saturday night, offering those who attend more than just some great curling.
Competition stones
An important part of the tournament is the arrival of the competition stones, which were delivered on Jan. 8.
The stones came from Curling Canada and made the trip to St. Paul from Ontario. Once the event wraps up in St. Paul, the stones will stay in Alberta, heading to the 2024 Boston Pizza Cup in Hinton, where the top men's curling teams will compete in February.
Then, the rocks will head north to Fort McMurray for the 2024 New Holland Canadian U-21 Curling Championships in March. In the past, the rocks have been used across the country - and beyond - travelling to places such as St. John's and Las Vegas.
“They’ve been around to some cool places," says Bohn.
Looking ahead, Bohn recognizes there are some hectic days ahead - but organizers are clearly looking forward to it.
Then, as soon as the last rocks are thrown on Sunday in St. Paul, work will begin to get the arena back to its usual hockey and figure skating surface.
