Hardhats are currently more popular than curling shoes at two Queens County PEI clubs, but, in spite of the construction, they are busy getting ready for the upcoming season.

Photo: Cornwall Civic Centre construction

With funding from the Building Canada Fund, the Government of Prince Edward Island under Build PEI, the Town of Cornwall, and the Canadian Curling Association’s Capital Grants program, the Cornwall Curling Club, founded in 1981, is getting an entire new clubhouse, with the two million dollar replacement of the town’s Civic Centre, which houses the clubhouse and other community facilities. As well, repairs were made last season to the ice house roof, and a brand new ice plant, costing $128,576, is being installed, in a new separate building, over the next few days. These projects were funded via the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program and the Island Community Fund, a six-year $27.5 million program established by the provincial government to address infrastructure needs with a focus on rural communities.

Meanwhile, just 27 km west on the Trans Canada Highway, the Crapaud Community Curling Club, operating since 1964, is also undergoing major renovation, including extensive upgrades to the interior, as well as its ice plant.  The total cost of the project is $183,500, with the Island Community Fund contributing $72,300, Skills PEI providing $83,500, and the Community Recreation Support Program kicking in $7,500.

Cornwall is planning to start its new ice plant on Oct. 10, with curling getting underway by October 24, about a week later than usual, although the clubhouse won’t be completely ready at that time.  They are holding registration for returning members on Oct. 12 at the Cornwall Town Hall, starting at 6:30 pm, and on Oct. 19 for new members and junior members, also at the Town Hall. Those signing up are advised to be prepared to pay by cash or cheque, as credit and debit card processing may not be available.

Crapaud’s lounge area is currently under heavy renovation. Members and prospective members are invited to stop by on Oct. 21 at 7 pm to view the renovations, and they are offering a 10% discount to those who pay their membership fees at that time. They are also offering free evening curling Nov. 1-4 for those who want to try out the sport, and will be holding after-school Junior registration Nov. 2 at 7 pm, with regular curling for all ages starting Nov. 7.

Improved access to those with mobility challenges is one of the features of both renovation projects. Crapaud, which has already hosted wheelchair curling events, had already undergone basic renovations to allow wheelchair access, which will be further improved upon during the renovation, and Cornwall is also adding wheelchair access to the downstairs clubhouse, the upstairs viewing and hall area, and to the ice surface itself.

Club presidents Jamie Ballem of Cornwall and Lindsay Moore of Crapaud ask members to be patient during the renovations, and report that there is a busy curling season ahead, with Cornwall hosting the Atlantic University Championships January 13-15 and the Labatt Tankard Provincial Men’s Curling Championship January 26-31. Crapaud will host the Pepsi Provincial Junior Championships Dec. 29-Jan. 2, and the Provincial Senior Men’s, sponsored by the Credit Unions of PEI, Feb. 10-13.

Elsewhere, icemaking is already well underway and registration nights have been held at the Charlottetown Curling Club, while the Silver Fox in Summerside has undergone an energy retrofit, which involves the replacement of doors and windows and an upgrade to the electrical system. The total cost of the project was $129,750, with the Island Community Fund is contributing $90,532, the Office of Energy Efficiency providing $6,780, and the club itself investing $31,438 in the project. Adult registrations are currently being accepted at the Fox, with junior curling registration on Oct. 22 from 10 am to 12 noon.

Check club websites and Facebook pages for information on curling startup at the other clubs on the Island — the Maple Leaf in O’Leary, the Western Community club in Alberton, and the Montague club, all of which normally get underway in early to mid-November. As well, over the past two years, curling has shared the ice with hockey and skating at the Eastern Kings Sports Arena and the Belfast arena, and area residents are urged to contact these facilities for information on curling this season.

Also getting underway is the Rocks and Rings program, introducing curling to Island schools. The program, now entering its fourth year, has introduced curling to over 160,000 Canadian students to date, and continues to expand its reach. It makes learning about curling easy, by bringing customized equipment to the schools in day long visits. Trained instructors deliver a high-energy, interactive and educational program focused on the basics of the sport. Teachers and parents are encouraged to visit www.rocksandrings.com to learn more and to register their schools to receive the program. For more info about the program on PEI, please contact PEICA Executive Director Amy Duncan at 902-368-4208 or [email protected].