Sundre High School does not have a curling team this year, for what could be the first time in 30 years.
Wes Cummings, who usually coaches the team, said there has been a curling team at the high school every year for the 30 plus years he has been involved.
There were not enough people interested in being a part of the team this year, he said.
ìIt came down to four girls and two of the girls really didn't curl. One had never curled before really, so to go to a zone competition I don't think it was fair,î said Cummings.
ìYears I've relied on the junior program. There just seems to be this year a little gap before the Grade 9s turn to Grade 10.
ìNext year we'll have ñ I'm pretty sure ñ some pretty competitive curlers. But for this year we just had to bow out of it.î
There is a cost to be a part of the team as well as many hours of time committed to practices, he said.
ìI was just going to throw together a team and then we just got to thinking that, I mean, kids are busy. They're in other sports as well and then the cost behind it to go to Drumheller, where the zones are, and pay for registration and hotel rooms and meals and that,î he explained.
ìIt's a costly adventure, yes for fun I guess, but we should be competitive as well.î
The decision to go without a curling team this year was made on Feb. 10. He added that high schools in surrounding communities don't have curling teams this year either.
He encourages people to curl, as he says it's a good way to get out of the house during the winter.
ìIt's a lifetime leisure activity. Winters can be awful long and it's easy to not go out. It gives people a reason to get out of the house and just have some fun.î
