PREECEVILLE - The Preeceville Curling Club is looking forward to a new season of curling after a three-year absence due to COVID-19 followed by mechanical issues with the ice-making plant.
The tradition of curling began in 1934 and has faced many challenges over the 85 years but the passion for curling has remained in Preeceville, according to members.
The new executive elected for the 2023/24 season will be: Sheldon Luciw, president; Phil Murrin, vice-president; Brandi Arneson, secretary and Lynn Ager, treasurer. Directors are: Denise Olson, Joe Yacyshyn and Emmit Arneson.
Sheldon Luciw is the main icemaker, but he is helped by committee volunteers.
Curling is scheduled to start by the end of November, but bonspiels have not been determined yet.
“During the absence from the curling seasons, the committee members took advantage to redo all the flooring, upgrade all the bathrooms, replaced the pump and added a water system for ice making,” stated Lynn Ager.
The club is also looking at possibly holding wing fundraiser this year as well as a few other fundraising events.
Monday afternoons will feature an afternoon league, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings will be a four-on-four open league, Thursdays are set for two-on-two curling, and Friday is designated as fun curling night.
The rink will also be hosting two Texas Hold’em poker nights, scheduled for Nov. 10 and Jan. 6, 2024.
The Preeceville School will once again be utilizing the rink.
"You can follow the events and activities on the Preeceville Curling Club online," said Ager.
The original curling rink was first proposed by Alfred Buck and Jack Long in the summer of 1934, stated information given in the Town of Preeceville history book. The rink opened on Jan. 4, 1935, with fees set at $5 for those who had their own rocks and $8 for those did not own their own rocks. Doug Bentley and his dray of horses hauled hot water from the creamery in three 45-gallon drums to flood the ice.
Curling enthusiasm was so great that another sheet of ice had to be built in 1937. In 1954 the community built a new rink with three sheets of ice. Artificial ice was installed in 1977 and through the years, considerable work and renovations were done to improve the rink, according to the history book information.
