The 2022 Canadian Firefighters Curling Championship scheduled for Montague was cancelled on Monday, dealing another blow to the local curling club after six weeks of restrictions.
Club manager/ice maker Larry Richards got the word Monday afternoon. The tournament was scheduled for March 24 to April 2 and had already been postponed from 2021.
“It would’ve been good revenue and nice exposure for the club,” he said. “I’m disappointed, but what can you do?”
It was supposed to be a banner year for the Montague Curling Club, but Covid has resulted in the cancellation of the provincial Scotties, Tankard and now the national firefighters championship. Graphic file photo
A number of local rinks had planned to enter playdowns for the 61st annual national championship.
Provincial funding is helping curling clubs pay their bills, but closures are still on the table depending on the length of time until league nights are allowed to resume.
Mr. Richards said this cancellation won’t result in the curling club closing for the winter but that is still a possibility.
“If this keeps going and we can’t curl at all, we might have to (close),” he said. “We can’t keep going with no revenue.”
The Souris Curling Club had little to say, but it is working on a return to curling plan and hopes to be up and running by February 8.
The Souris club is not eligible for government funding because it rents from the Eastern Kings Sportsplex. Because of that, it also does not have the overhead fees most clubs do.
Click for full story in the Eastern Graphic at PEICanada.com: https://www.peicanada.com/eastern_graphic/tough-times-continue-for-curling-clubs/article_4603942c-8366-11ec-8e80-379d47b94923.html