Local curlers have been honing their form since earlier this month when the Sundre Curling Club started its 2017-18 season.
The club has solid registration in all of its leagues, said president Steve Brigden.
There are 10 seniors' teams, 12 women's teams, nine men's teams as well as nine mixed teams, he told the Round Up last week, adding those numbers are fairly consistent compared with recent years, and that while some past members are no longer playing, there are also new faces enrolled this year.
"There are still places for people to curl if they want to," he said, encouraging anyone who might be interested to contact him at 403-636-0228.
"Curling is a great way to get out and meet people. It's competitive curling, but we're there to have fun."
The sport is inclusive of all ages, and Sundre curlers range anywhere from 12 years of age up to their 70s, he said.
The Sundre Curling Club is doing well, and following the completion of several major projects in recent years is attempting to rebuild dwindling reserves. The rink is housed in an older building that requires constant maintenance. Some of the projects that have been completed in recent years include major roof repairs to reduce the buildup of ice between the rink and the Aquaplex building, new flooring in the kitchen and lobby area, as well as a rebuild of the ice plant a few years ago, which "chewed up reserves" leaving the curling club's coffers "heavily depleted," he said.
"We're hoping nothing too major comes up in the immediate future."
The curling club has already planned the season's upcoming bonspiels, the first of which is the men's on Dec. 1-3. The seniors' bonspiel takes place Dec. 4-8, and the next event takes place after the new year, when the juniors will compete Jan. 12-14. The women's bonspiel takes place Feb. 8-11, followed by the doubles' spiel on Feb. 24. Capping the curling club's season are the Oilmen's Bonspiel on March 2-4, with the big finale being the annual Open Bonspiel on March 19-25, he said.
Visit www.sundrecurlingclub.com for more information and upcoming dates.
Jill Fee, president of the Sundre Junior Curling Club, said numbers are slightly down this year, with 24 registered kids, most of whom are returning after playing last year, although there are some new members as well. Junior curlers are still welcome to join, and Fee can be reached at 403-638-1756.
"We would take registrations all year," she said.
"If you're looking for an affordable sport for your kid to play, curling is definitely the one!"
