NEW GLASGOW
The rocks are ready for rollin’.
The ice is in at the Bluenose Curling Club for another season, just in time for a three-night open house the club is holding this week.
The open house is Tuesday through Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly. Thursday will also see an open house from 2 to 4 p.m., in addition to the evening session.
“The idea is to expose the club to as many new people as we can,” said Joe Proudfoot, membership director for the club, which got its start in 1853 and is the third-oldest curling club in Nova Scotia (and according to its website, the 16th oldest in Canada).
“The more new people we have coming in, the better.”
The club offers an Adult Learn To Curl program for beginners, an eight-week program that begins Oct. 23. Once curlers complete the program, they are encouraged to join one of the club’s ‘League nights’. The fee for the Learn to Curl is $80.
To sign up or for more information, everyone is encouraged to attend the open house, or they can email: [email protected].
“We’ll have instructors here for the open house who’ll take anybody out on the ice if they want to give it a try.”
The open house also allows past and present members a chance to get signed up and to renew acquaintances.
Last season, there were more than 200 members of the club, the third straight year the Bluenose CC had experienced an increase in membership.
Proudfoot also said that the Little Rocks program is still thriving. Budding curlers ages five to 12 practise and/or play every Friday; the younger ones are taught the basics, while the older and more experienced members of Little Rocks are out playing actual games, soaking up the competitive experience.
“Last year, we had 50, 55 kids in it,” he said.
“Curling is a social sport, and is something you can start playing when you’re young and can play until you’re very old.”
Curling Nova Scotia named the Bluenose CC its Organization of the Year for the 2016-17 season.
“We were proud of that,” Proudfoot said, attributing the recognition to the club’s varied programs, the club’s willingness to host various tournaments and its active membership.
