STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
By Shane Clausing
Curling

Emergency funding to help Grande Prairie Curling Centre cover deficit

Sep 10, 2021 | 6:00 AM

The last year-and-a-half has been difficult for the Grande Prairie Curling Centre as it was hit with various COVID-19 restrictions.

With that, Grande Prairie city council approved over $47,000 in emergency community group funding for the centre at Tuesday’s meeting.

Centre director Colin Griffith says the money will help with operations of the facility.

“We went through a very intriguing year last year. We had five targeted start dates to open the centre which did not fully materialize because of the COVID restrictions,” Griffith said.

“We had a bit of a deficit for 2021(~$48,000) and the city has, very nicely, picked that up for us.”

He adds this funding will help get them through what should be a busy year.

“We have got a lot of exciting programs started that we’re hosting. Not only the combined men’s (and women’s) provincials, we’re also hosting a couple of qualifying events that lead to provincial championships,” he said.

“We’re really looking to meeting the recreational needs of the community.”

Griffith says a clearer picture of the club’s financial situation will be made available at the annual general meeting next Wednesday.

“Certainly, we’ll be giving an update of where we’re at and what our plans are. We’re really encouraging the members of the curling community and all interested parties to come out and attend.”

The Grande Prairie Curling Centre annual general meeting will start at 7 p.m. on September 14 at the rink.

In-person registration for the season will also run at the centre on September 14, 15, and 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. nightly. The season is set to start the week of October 4.

The 2022 Alberta men’s and women’s provincial curling championships both run January 3 to 9 at the Bonnett’s Energy Centre.

(With files from Curtis Galbraith)

by Shane Clausing