WESTVILLE ROAD, N.S.
The thunderous sound of curling rocks hitting curling rocks is over for now at the Pictou County Wellness Centre.
“The crowds for the weekend were better than we could have hoped for, to be honest,” said Jim Nix, who co-chaired the in the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling event with Donalda Buckingham.
“We didn’t have a seat to sell for the final game.”
He said the event exceeded the ticket revenue budget and added that Sportnet, the national sports network that owns and manages the Grand Slam of Curling brand, were pleased with the way the week went, especially since the PCWC has two arenas.
“They said they’d be happy to come back if the opportunity arose,” Nix added. The 260 volunteers were key to the event, Nix added.
They showed up and carried out their roles with passion. “The interest from the volunteers was through the roof, everything from ticket-takers, the (courtesy) drivers, everything we needed to do.”
In front of another packed house on Nov. 10 – there are approximately 1,660 seats at the PCWC, and standing room above the seats – Brad Jacobs of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., beat Brad Gushue’s rink from St. John’s, N.L. in a 6-4 final. Jacobs’s title netted his squad $30,000.
In the Tier 2 men’s division, Korey Dropkin of the U.S. edged Tanner Horgan of Winnipeg 5-4.
On the women’s side, Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg defeated Manitoba’s Kerri Einarson 8-5 in the Tier 1 final, while South Korea’s Team Min-Ji Kim captured the Tier 2 title.
Curling clubs offering Curling Day in Pictou County
The News
NEW GLASGOW – Were you inspired by all the curling action at the Pictou County Wellness Centre last week?
Here’s a chance to give curling a try, free of charge.
On Nov. 16, all four curling clubs in Pictou County – New Caledonian in Pictou, Bluenose in New Glasgow, Stellar Curling Club in Stellarton and the Westville Curling Club – will be hosting Curling Day in Pictou County.
The clubs will be open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are inviting everyone to come in and give curling a try. Each club will also have prize draws.
For children 12 and up there are junior programs at the New Caledonian Club in Pictou and the Bluenose Club in New Glasgow.
For children under 12, the Little Rock program is offered at the Bluenose Curling Club, and
Wheelchair curling is also supported at the Bluenose Curling Club and New Caledonian Curling Club.
“All Clubs will be offering ‘Curling 101’, which will take about an hour, if someone wants to give throwing rocks at try,” said Donalda Buckingham, co-chair of the Pintys Grand Slam of Curling Tour Challenge and curling enthusiast.
“They will also have information on joining the club’s Learn to Curl programs, or in understanding what more each club has to offer. Every club offers something different. We’re encouraging people to try as many clubs as they can. Curling Day in Pictou County is really about getting everybody out. There is something for all ages.”
Stick curling allows people to continue the sport into their nineties – so if anyone is worried about mobility issues, they can be taught the Stick Delivery method.
Those interested should arrive with:
• A clean pair of indoor sneakers (with rubber soles)
• A lightweight jacket
• Loose comfortable pants (jeans are not recommended)
• A pair of gloves or mitts.
• Children under 12 must bring a helmet.
