BONNYVILLE – The Nova RPM Bonnyville Curling Club is nearing the end of another season with their mixed bonspiel taking place March 21-23, and a cornhole tournament coming up on April 26, which will be their final fundraiser event of the season.
According to curling club Vice President Marcelle Vallee, the club was founded in 1978, with the building being built in 1967. Portions of the ice plant are still original, dating back to 1967.
The club remains active after a sponsorship shift and embracing change to accommodate members’ busy schedules.
Previously sponsored by the late Victor Ringuette, the curling club faced a challenge when they lost support upon his passing. Fortunately, members of the club and owners of Nova RPM stepped up to take over the sponsorship and have offered to provide a contribution for the next five years.
Vallee explained that the curling season typically begins around the end of October, depending on when the ice is ready to go, and ends in March.
“We’ve changed things up the last few years, just trying to accommodate members and encourage them to come back in whatever way works best for them. We used to have very traditional leagues [with firm schedules], but we found that our numbers started to dwindle. People were wanting to curl, but it didn’t fit their schedules. A few years back, around COVID, we decided to change things up.”
Instead of scheduling firm slots for men’s, women’s, or mixed league, they have created open leagues so anyone can take advantage of the times on the schedule that work for them.
“It’s working out. Our numbers seem to be holding more consistently these last three or four years . . . We have 22 teams registered for our mixed bonspiel, which is really good. Other communities in the area are struggling to host bonspiels, but for some reason Bonnyville keeps doing a really good job of coming back to our bonspiel.”
Vallee said curlers of all different skill levels are encouraged to join, and the club provides enough equipment to make it accessible and have a low initial cost to join. A new player only needs a clear pair of indoor running shoes – brooms, sliders, and grippers can be provided at the club.
“You can round up some friends and form a team or join an existing team. Typically, it’s teams of four, but some teams have a permanent fifth player and they rotate through with their busy schedules . . . If you want to curl but you are new and don't have a team, we can put you on a spare list and we try to accommodate where we can.”
Vallee described the club as supportive and friendly, and although members are always helping each other out, players of all abilities can find themselves coming up against some skilled competitors.
“For me personally, I find curling to be a great way to get out of the house throughout the winter. Our winter season can be long, and I just love getting out and meeting up with teammates – having a social after the game.”
