Here are  highlights from last night’s Annual General Meeting of the PEI Curling Association:

The “operating name” of the Association was changed from “PEICA” to “Curl PEI” to reflect the organization’s logo.

Tightened residency policies for curlers who enter championship events, along with revised rules of play in line with current practice and in accordance with national regulations were introduced, including reduction of practice time at championships from 10 to 8 minutes. Predefined playoff formats for championship events, depending on the number of teams entered, were introduced, replacing the Player’s Committee who previously were involved in format selection for certain events.

In order to maximize the number of teams participating in The Dominion Curling Club championship provincial playdowns, it was decided that the event would no longer be held during either weekend of March Break, as this was keeping teams, particularly those with players with school age children, from participating. This will take effect in the 2013-2014 season, but it is also planned to look at moving the event in the 2012-2013 season, as it will also conflict with the national Seniors Curling Championship being held in Summerside, as many of the participants would be volunteering in that event.

Arleen Harris and Margaret Nowlan were voted in as Board of Directors members of the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum, replacing retiring members Beverly Miller and Marilyn Sutherland.

President George Koke alleviated concerns many attendees had about proposed changes at the national level, outlined in a National Curling Task Force report, including reduction in travel and hotel expenses for some championship events, and the introduction of relegation policies at major events, whereby not all provincial teams would get to play in the main event, saying that he and others across the country were very vocal in their opposition to the proposed changes, and these items will not on the table for the Canadian Curling Association’s AGM in June 2012.