Curling makes a great comeback in Souris

-Ian MacAulay, professional ice maker said an ice scrapper is one of the pieces of equipment that needs to be on hand when you make curling ice.

By Charlotte MacAulay

“I’ve never seen so much laughter and smiling faces in one spot at the same time,” said professional ice-maker and summer resident Ian MacAulay.
Mr MacAulay was at the Eastern Kings Sportsplex Easter weekend monitoring the ice conditions and reliving the days when Souris had a curling club.
A curling tournament was organized by the staff of the sportsplex after part-time manager, Colin Lavie, found the rocks from the old Souris Curling Club stored under the stands.
The discovery coupled with a lot of idle ice time sparked a renewed interest in the sport of curling in the town.
When Mr MacAulay was approached by Mr Lavie, for some tips on how to make curling ice he not only gave advice, but also came home from Ottawa, with all of his equipment, to give a lesson on how it’s done.
“It would be nice to get the club going again and there’s certainly been a lot of talk about it around here this week,” Mr MacAulay said.
A substantial investment would have to be made in order for the arena to be able to convert the ice for curling Mr MacAulay said.
“To get started a bare minimum of $20, 000 is what would be needed for an ice scraper,” Mr MacAulay said.
Other equipment that ensures good ice conditions are a shaver and temperature probes he said.
Local historian Waldron Leard said Mr MacAulay’s expertise took the event to a whole other level.
“For him to volunteer his time and show people more about what’s behind the scenes makes it more doable for the community,” Mr Leard said.
Another person who was instrumental in making the event a great success was Mr Lavie.
“He was the instigator of all this and with the help of 22 volunteers working hard all week the event was flawless,” said Mr Leard.
“It turned out exactly the way we wanted and now adding curling to the recreation available for next year is definitely closer to reality,” said Mr Lavie.
The help from everyone involved was invaluable he said.
Mr Lavie said the curling ice will remain at the sportsplex until Sunday April 11.
There is open ice time available on Thursday and anyone who wants to use it and they are still looking for a few teams to participate in thus weekend’s funspeil. To register or for more information call the sportsplex at 687-2323.
Mr Leard chronicled the event which had over 160 participants and over 200 observers throughout the weekend.
He said he did this with sponsorship for future events in mind.
“The tremendous community spirit involved in this event will ensure any future events will be successful,” Mr Leard said.
Rollie Jenkins was just one of the participants who thoroughly enjoyed the tournament.
It’s been six years since Mr Jenkins who is in his 70’s stepped out on to curling ice and he said it was an excellent bonspeil.
It felt really good being on the ice again and he said he tips his hat to all the hard work everyone put into it.
“I was quite amazed with everything,” he said.
Mr Jenkins team won two and lost two.”
The festivities ended on Sunday evening with the awarding of the ‘Annual Lobster Trap’ trophy donated to the funspeil by Wesley MacPhee.
The trophy is a souvenir from the former Souris club that was last given out in the 1980’s.

Cutline -Ian MacAulay, professional ice maker said an ice scrapper is one of the pieces of equipment that needs to be on hand when you make curling ice.