INNISFAIL – Preparations are well underway for a new season of the roaring game but this year there is a bit of pressure to be ready for the traditional start date after the Thanksgiving long weekend.
Contractors are busy with badly needed repairs to the Innisfail Curling Club's roof, seriously damaged from a vicious windstorm last June 20.
On Aug. 28 town council approved just over $43,000 worth of repairs to the roof, which is covered by insurance. Council also approved spending another $50,280 from its own recreation reserves to resurface the remaining roof surface with new base and cap sheets.
Henry Wong, the town's director of community services, told council at the Sept. 11 regular meeting that Cooper, Roofing and & Exteriors, the contractor hired to do roof repairs at the curling club, began work on the same day and the job would be completed in three weeks.
Last week, Lowell Peterman, the club's icemaker and manager, said most of the wind damage to the roof occurred in the northwest corner.
“It (wind) tore back a third of the entire roof surface. It is significant damage for sure but they have assured me it will be repaired,” said Peterman, adding with last week's heavy rainfall there was leaking to the ice floor and walkways. “At this point I don't think there is any significant damage to that part of it. It can be cleaned up.
“The furnace at the northwest corner has to be looked at and they are looking at that to determine if there are repairs that need to be done,” he added. “The chimney that extends through the roof was basically torn off so there will be repairs to that.”
But despite the damage, which the repairmen are now working on, Peterman and members of the club's executive are busy preparing for the new season.
Peterman said it's looking much like it did last year but with a few tweaks for the more than 300 members, who are being asked to come to the club to register at 7 p.m. on Oct. 4.
However, he said the club would like to expand its Friday night recreation league and “even” out and reorganize others.
Peterman said the club is looking at having two divisions in both the men's and mixed leagues, separating the competitive and recreational teams. The club will keep the women's league on Wednesday evenings, as there are only 12 teams, said Peterman.
The club is also having a Junior Program for youth on Mondays and Wednesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The cost is $95 for the season and includes all equipment. Peterman said the club is also getting light rocks, which at 20 pounds are half the weight of regular stones, for younger curlers on Wednesday nights.
In the meantime, Peterman and other club officials are also working on their tournament schedule. Peterman said on Nov. 3 and 4 the club will be hosting the Yellow Bucket Charity Bonspiel for the Smiles Thru Lindsey Foundation.
Although firm dates have not yet been set, the Men's Bonspiel will be in late November, the Seniors' Bonspiel early in January, the Ladies' Bonspiel in either January or February, and the Mixed Bonspiel will be played in March.
For more information on the upcoming season at the Innisfail Curling Club give Peterman a call at 403-227-3079 or visit the club's website at www.innisfailcurlingclub.com
Lowell Peterman, icemaker and manager at the Innisfail Curling Club
"It (wind) tore back a third of the entire roof surface. It is significant damage for sure but they have assured me it will be repaired."
