ESTEVAN -
The contributions of Bill Kapiczowski to the sport of curling in Estevan and elsewhere have been recognized.
Kapiczowski was inducted into the CurlSask Legends of Curling Honour Roll during Thursday’s luncheon for the SaskTel Tankard provincial men’s curling championship in Estevan.
He spent many years locally as a curler, coach, volunteer, icemaker and board member at the Estevan Curling Club.
A video was shown during the luncheon, with tributes from Bob Doerr, Leanne Carlson and Tyler McMillen.
Doerr described Kapiczowski as one of Estevan’s finest citizens, and said the curling club is lucky to have him.
“I’ve known him for many, many years,” said Doerr. “He taught me in high school and he was involved in the curling program back then.”
Doerr said Kapiczowski has always been a big community supporter.
Carlson pointed out Kapiczowski has been a big factor in her curling career. It started in high school when he took her team to Maidstone for provincials, and was a “phenomenal” coach at that time.
“I had a few-year hiatus from curling, and I came back into curling again, and he has been my skip for the last 12 or 13 years now, and we won a few league championships with him,” said Carlson. “I can’t say enough about him. He was a great icemaker when I first started off.”
McMillen has been a part of the curling club since coming to Estevan more than 20 years ago. He said Kapiczowski has been a staple at the curling club as an athlete, icemaker and more.
“It’s fun to be around him, learn from him and play against him, just an absolute treasure for our club and our community,” said McMillen.
Kapiczowski served as the club’s head icemaker until 2014, but has continued to help out with creating and maintaining the ice since then. While serving in the role, he handled the ice for numerous provincial championships and southern men’s and women’s playdowns that were held at the club.
He has also remained an active curler. Last fall he skipped a team that reached the semifinal round at the provincial master’s curling championships in Estevan. Other members of his team were lead Lawrence Hansen, second Ron Rittaler and third Gary Cheney.
And the Kapiczowski rink delivered the opening rock during Wednesday night’s opening ceremonies for the Tankard.
He also won a provincial teacher’s curling championship while he was still at the Estevan Comprehensive School
The previous week, Rob Greensides was posthumously inducted into the Honour Roll for his work with the Assiniboia Curling Club.
Meanwhile, Viterra and SaskTel were also inducted for their continued support of the sport in Saskatchewan.
The Honour Roll was created in 2004 to salute those who have made great contributions to the sport in Saskatchewan. Prior to Kapiczowski, the most recent inductee from the Estevan area was Robert Keating, who joined the Honour Roll in 2016 for his leadership with the Benson Curling Club.
Meanwhile, Viterra and SaskTel were also inducted for their continued support for the sport in Saskatchewan.
The Honour Roll was created in 2004 to salute those who have made great contributions to the sport in Saskatchewan. Prior to Kapiczowski, the most recent inductee from the Estevan area was Robert Keating, who joined the Honour Roll in 2016 for his many years of service to the Benson Curling Club.
(Video courtesy of CurlSask).
