Welcome to 2008 / 2009 Season
Can you believe it is the start of the new curling season ??!! Our first league games are this Sunday, from 9:30 AM to 11:45 AM. As in prior years, the games are held at the Chaparral Ice facility at the Northcross Mall.
We are welcoming back many members returning from the past two seasons. This season our membership includes 9 new curlers, with 5 of those persons signed up for regular league play. Welcome to all.
For those of you who did not curl late last spring, we are now in the new ice facility. We now have rings, hog lines, T-lines and center lines on the ice. I know that some of you may be nostalgic for the magic marker circles and “orange cone” hog lines, but the permanent ice markings will enhance our play, and dramatically reduce the setup time for the ice.
Another change is the game fees. Chaparral Ice increased the cost from last season’s $300 per session to $400 per session this year. If you pay on a per game basis, the new fee is $22.00 per game. We will also accept half and full season payments, where the rate is $18.00 per game.
With the reduced ice setup time, I think we should be able to have 8 end games each Sunday. However, to do this, we will need everyone’s cooperation. This will include:
• Please arrive at the rink around 9:00 AM to help with ice setup. The sooner we can get all the rocks on the ice, the sooner they will be cooler for play.
• Be ready to start the game at 9:30 AM.
• Target 15 minutes to complete each end.
• When it is your turn to shoot and while your opponent’s rock is sliding down the ice, get your rock ready and be in the hack. As soon as your opponent’s rock has stopped, you should be ready to throw your shot.
• If you are sweeping, once your rock stops, quickly move to the side of the sheet to allow your opponent to shoot. Be aware that others are trying to shoot and keep to the side of the ice, so as to not delay the game.
I think if we hustle and follow these guidelines, we should be able to complete 8 ends for every game. Note that we must have the rocks off the ice by 11:45 AM so that they can Zamboni the ice.
In the next few weeks, we will be installing a large freezer to store and cool our rocks. In the meantime, we will have to use the old method of moving the rocks onto the ice just before our games. Please bear with us, as the freezer will be an excellent enhancement.
This season, we also have a formal list of club spares. These people have paid club memberships, and should be the persons to contact if you need a sub. The use of spares gives people who want to curl occasionally a chance to play. Work with us to ensure we have full rinks for each game.
My motto for this season is “Have Fun”!!! I marvel at how well our curling club continues to thrive. As always, feel free to email or see me if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns. See you on the Ice !!!
We are welcoming back many members returning from the past two seasons. This season our membership includes 9 new curlers, with 5 of those persons signed up for regular league play. Welcome to all.
For those of you who did not curl late last spring, we are now in the new ice facility. We now have rings, hog lines, T-lines and center lines on the ice. I know that some of you may be nostalgic for the magic marker circles and “orange cone” hog lines, but the permanent ice markings will enhance our play, and dramatically reduce the setup time for the ice.
Another change is the game fees. Chaparral Ice increased the cost from last season’s $300 per session to $400 per session this year. If you pay on a per game basis, the new fee is $22.00 per game. We will also accept half and full season payments, where the rate is $18.00 per game.
With the reduced ice setup time, I think we should be able to have 8 end games each Sunday. However, to do this, we will need everyone’s cooperation. This will include:
• Please arrive at the rink around 9:00 AM to help with ice setup. The sooner we can get all the rocks on the ice, the sooner they will be cooler for play.
• Be ready to start the game at 9:30 AM.
• Target 15 minutes to complete each end.
• When it is your turn to shoot and while your opponent’s rock is sliding down the ice, get your rock ready and be in the hack. As soon as your opponent’s rock has stopped, you should be ready to throw your shot.
• If you are sweeping, once your rock stops, quickly move to the side of the sheet to allow your opponent to shoot. Be aware that others are trying to shoot and keep to the side of the ice, so as to not delay the game.
I think if we hustle and follow these guidelines, we should be able to complete 8 ends for every game. Note that we must have the rocks off the ice by 11:45 AM so that they can Zamboni the ice.
In the next few weeks, we will be installing a large freezer to store and cool our rocks. In the meantime, we will have to use the old method of moving the rocks onto the ice just before our games. Please bear with us, as the freezer will be an excellent enhancement.
This season, we also have a formal list of club spares. These people have paid club memberships, and should be the persons to contact if you need a sub. The use of spares gives people who want to curl occasionally a chance to play. Work with us to ensure we have full rinks for each game.
My motto for this season is “Have Fun”!!! I marvel at how well our curling club continues to thrive. As always, feel free to email or see me if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns. See you on the Ice !!!
posted by Wayne Garman at
5:25 PM
