The Chevelles are coming back to Sundre for an evening of dining and dancing to raise funds for the Sundre Curling Club.
Over the years, the performers have become a staple of the annual Rockin’ the Rink, which takes place Saturday, Oct. 5 at the curling rink for the eighth year, said Kevin Humphrey, a past president of the Sundre Curling Club and the lead volunteer coordinator for the event.
There are about 400 tickets available, of which almost half were spoken for when Humphrey was reached for comment last week.
“We’ve got room for lots of people,” he said.
The annual event is one of the curling club’s main fundraisers, and Humphrey expressed appreciation for the helping hands that facilitate the effort.
“I have a great committee that helps out,” he said, adding there are also plenty of volunteers who play an important part.
The function will have a format largely identical to past years, with a dance immediately following the supper. Drinks will be available for anyone who’s interested, and to ensure a responsible evening everyone can enjoy, volunteer members of the Sundre Community Van Society will be providing safe drives home, he said.
“That’s donated by the Sundre Oilmen's Association,” he said, adding, “We get lots of help from community groups.”
Meanwhile, the Sundre Curling Club’s season is expected to get underway during the first week of November.
Kris Burkholder, the organization’s new president, is optimistic about the year ahead, and looks forward to league play.
“Everybody’s starting to get a little excited,” said Burkholder, who about three years ago relocated from Sherwood Park east of Edmonton to a quarter section north of Sundre off of James River Road.
This will be her second year with the Sundre Curling Club, which she didn’t hesitate to get involved with early on.
“I just really love the enthusiasm here,” she said, praising her fellow executive members’ collaborative spirit.
“So far it’s been wonderful.”
Following a rather dreary summer and the changing colour of the leaves heralding the coming fall, many club members are eager to get curling, she said.
“We’re trying to get another curling league for ladies,” she added.
The intent is to introduce an evening draw for women who are unable to get involved in the daytime league, she said.
“That doesn’t yet exist, but we’re hoping to fill that one.”
The junior program is again lined up, with volunteer curlers offering their time to help out younger players once a week. The evening men’s league is also back, but the number of draws will depend on the number of teams that register, she said.
When Burkholder spoke with the Round Up last week, she was at the curling rink with some other members getting ready to do some touch-ups, including the application of a new coat of paint on the facility’s interior as well as shuffling things around a bit to make the rink “more attractive, warm and welcoming.”
While there is technically no official registration day, anyone who wants to join the club is welcome to attend the first day of league play when dues are collected, she said.
“Just show up at the rink.”
Visit www.sundrecurlingclub.com for more information on upcoming bonspiels — the first event will be the Sturling Season Opener Fun Spiel on Saturday, Nov. 16 — as well as to find contacts for league representatives. Alternatively, the rink can be reached by calling 403-638-3836 and leaving a message. The club is also always receptive to welcoming new volunteers who are interested in getting involved.
