LITTLE CURRENT—The Northeast Town council has given its blessing to the Little Current Curling Club to proceed with its bid to host the 2018 Travelers Northern Ontario Men’s Provincial Curling Playdown next February 7-11, 2018.
In a letter to council brought forward at its January 17 meeting, Jordan Chandler, on behalf of the Little Current Curling Club, explained that in order to host the event it would mean the total use of the arena (including the hockey rink) for seven to eight days in order to install the curling ice before the event.
“We feel this event would be an excellent showcase for our town and will attract a minimum of 64 competitors and a plethora of spectators from the surrounding area,” Mr. Chandler wrote. “Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we should have the reigning Olympic champions in the field.”
Council directed Reid Taylor, manager of community services, to speak with the arena’s user groups for their thoughts.
“Skate Canada Manitoulin is very much in support of the Little Current Curling Club to bid to host next year’s 2018 men’s bonspiel,” Abbie Drolet, Skate Canada Manitoulin head coach, wrote. “We know that this will impact our use of the ice for approximately one week and we will gladly make other arrangements to accommodate the event. It would be a great addition to the winter season and we will happily offer our support in any way to the curling club.”
The Manitoulin Panthers also expressed their willingness to work around the changes should the bid be accepted.
Bill Slaght, Little Current Howland Minor Hockey Association (LCHMHA) president, expressed a few concerns with Mr. Taylor regarding the loss of ice time including the importance to LCHMHA of ending the minor hockey season before March break, the impending playoff season, loss of practice time, cancelled games, travel costs to makeup games in other communities and the fact that “the pebbling of the ice may make it unsafe to play hockey after the curling championships.”
“We do understand that this is a major championship and will bring increased revenue to the community but we ask that you take our concerns forward for discussion,” Mr. Slaght concluded.
At the January 19 special meeting of council, council reviewed the thoughts and concerns of the user groups.
Northeast Town CAO Dave Williamson explained that the pebbling of the ice would not be a safety issue.
“Can their issues be accommodated?” asked Councillor Michael Erskine.
Mr. Williamson said the municipality could work with some of the concerns and would do their best, noting that having a one-year lead time is helpful.
Councillor Marcel Gauthier added that the issue of pebbling would not be a worry as the curling club owns a ‘shaver,’ which removes the pebbles.
Mayor Al MacNevin asked Crystal Morra, who was in attendance representing the committee holding the event in Little Current, if the ice would ever be available for use during the championship time. Ms. Morra replied, “no.”
“Everyone has been very supportive and I didn’t get a sense that minor hockey would vehemently oppose it—what it boils down to is a minor inconvenience,” Councillor Erskine said.
Councillor Bill Koehler added, “I think it would could work if everyone works together.”
The motion to support the curling club was moved by Councillor Paul Skippen and seconded by Councillor Michael Erskine and passed with full support.
“We are very excited to have council support the opportunity to host the 2018 Travelers Northern Ontario Men’s Provincial Curling Playdown,” Ms. Morra told The Expositor following the committee meeting. “Now we will be working hard to get the bid proposal in for the January 31 deadline.”
