OLDS - The shutdown of the 64th annual Alberta Firefighters Championship Bonspiel due to ice plant failure was short-lived.
Lorraine O'Brien, the town's director of community services, says the shutdown, which occurred mid-afternoon Thursday at the Olds Curling Club, only lasted for about three hours.
Some games were played before the ice plant failed.
"Sadly, the ice plant here at the Olds Curling Rink has failed and shut down. Games are cancelled until further notice. Maintenance has been contacted," the Alberta Firefighters Curling Association said in a social media post issued shortly before 2:30 p.m. Thursday. "Stay tuned for updates."
But later on that day, on their Facebook Page, the Alberta Firefighters Curling Association posted the following message: "someone more knowledgeable says that things are going very well. They are saying 6:30! Those teams that were to play at 3:30 pm should be here for 6:30."
The championships, featuring 28 teams from across Alberta, began Thursday and is expected to wind up on Feb. 3.
Organizing committee chair Cody Maetche earlier told the Albertan he anticipated the first draw to be held at about 8 a.m. Feb. 1 and the last one to be held at about 5 p.m. Feb. 3.
Each year, the tournament rotates around the province: north, south, east and west. Olds firefighters put in a bid in 2022 and were awarded the event last year in Hanna.
The tournament could provide a shot in the arm for the local economy.
Maetche estimated that 100 to 150 people could come to Olds for the bonspiel, including athletes, friends and family.
“We have events running from the A event all the way down to an F event,” he said during an earlier interview with the Albertan.
