WEYBURN – The 65th annual Oilmen’s Bonspiel in Weyburn was capped off with over $8,300 in donations to 10 local organizations, with serving youth a common denominator, including a $500 scholarship award to a youth curler.
The donations were part of the opening ceremonies for the bonspiel at the Weyburn Curling Rink, as all of the participating teams gathered on-ice.
Members of the Spirit Singers, one of the recipient groups, sang O Canada, then emcee Rob Somerville outlined who all of the grant recipients were, noting they were donating a total of $8,322. The Weyburn Oilfield Technical Society (OTS) originally had announced they would be donating $6,500 to mark its 65th anniversary.
“We exceeded our expectations and ended up with some extra money in the bank,” Somerville told the assembled group of curlers, with the donations going to organizations that are involved in youth sport or youth activities in the community.
The recipients included Big Brothers Big Sisters of Weyburn, $1,000; Weyburn Minor Football, $1,000; the Family Place Weyburn, $1,000; Silver Seals swimming club, $1,000; Tatagwa Kidz Care, $1,000; Spirit Singers, $500; Weyburn Jr. Lacrosse, $500; Weyburn Wrestling Club, $500; Brokenshell Multiple 4-H Club, $500; and Weyburn Junior Curling, $822.
The donation to junior curling goes towards paying 50 per cent of the curlers’ membership fees for the year.
In addition, junior curler Laura Woodard received the Kim Brady-Michael Mainil “True Grit” award of $500, with Mainil on hand to present it to her.
Danette Tracey said she was fortunate enough to have coached Laura since she began curling five years ago.
“She displayed a curling talent right from the start, and she was very coachable, friendly and helpful,” said Tracey, noting she also volunteers her time to coach the next group of young curlers, and is a mentor for them.
