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Photo Credit: Shane Clausing
Club of the Year

Sexsmith Curling Club named Curling Alberta’s Club of the Year

Aug 13, 2020 | 12:28 PM

The Sexsmith Curling Club has been named Curling Alberta’s Club of the Year for 2020.

The annual award is given to an Alberta membered club or community curling centre that displays outstanding impact in the community.

Curling Alberta takes into consideration the following items when clubs apply for the award:

  • Development of innovative programs and services; alignment to the provincial programs.
  • Evidence of volunteer management strategies (attract, develop, retain).
  • Financial sustainability/viability.
  • Community engagement (e.g. with other clubs, schools, sponsors, external stakeholders or community groups).
  • Coach and/or instructor development processes in place.
  • Retention and growth of a diverse membership.
  • Success in fundraising and management of large capital projects.

Mike Vavrek is one of the co-managers at the Sexsmith Curling Club. He says they didn’t even know they were nominated, but is grateful for the accolade.

“We’re excited that we we’re even nominated, and we are even more excited that we got the award.”

Vavrek mentioned that they found out about the award during a Zoom meeting with Curling Alberta.

“They had a bunch of nice words to say about us. I have no clue how many other clubs were nominated, but I would imagine there would be a few clubs from every district from Alberta that would’ve been nominated.”

Vavrek says this award wouldn’t have been possible without the support of their members and the community.

“We’ve been running the curling rink for 29 years in Sexsmith as a family and to get an award like this, it really makes us feel really happy that people are coming out and having a good time. With all the people that come out and support us as a family and all our sponsors that help us run our events, we couldn’t do it without any of those.”

Vavrek tells EverythingGP that despite COVID-19, the Sexsmith Curling Club is still hoping to open it’s doors for the curling season on November 1.