The clock is counting down as volunteers and staff work to prepare the ice at the Cobourg Community Centre for the Ontario Men’s and Women’s Curling Championship.
The action starts on Sunday, January 19, 2025 and continues through the week, but Today’s Northumberland popped by on Friday to see workers preparing the ice.
West Northumberland Curling Club member Jeff Gilmer is on the organizing committee for the event and said this championship differs from the last one held at the CCC.
“One of the major differences, this is a triple knock-out format and last time was a round-robin format.”
There will be 20 draws that go on from Sunday, January 19 until the following Sunday.
Gilmer said without the help of the 186 volunteers the event simply would not be happening.
With spectators and participants coming from across Ontario it will be a economic boost for the community.
“The hotels are all full in both Port Hope and Cobourg and restaurants and bars will be popular.”
Head Ice Technician Scott Muir said they have 57-hours from getting the building Thursday morning at 12 a.m. until the first rock is thrown.
The first process when taking over the ice is to have the Zamboni shave down the hockey ice approximately one-to-two inches.
Flooding is done after that to build up the ice, followed by measuring and laying out the four sheets, placing of the rings, bumpers, lines and advertising.
The Olympic size sheets of ice measure 150′ x 15’7″.
“Everything is measured to a faction of a inch. We couldn’t do it without all the volunteers. It’s a lot of hours and a lot of work.”
Sixteen rocks, or curling stones weighing approximately 42-pounds are brought in from Canada Curling Stone.
On Friday afternoon, Muir said crews were flooding the sheets to get everything level.
“We watch how it freezes to see where it’s freezing first and it let’s us know where it’s high.”
Temperature monitors will be installed in various areas of the ice so a computer can keep track.
Saturday afternoon crews hope to be scrapping and pebbling getting the sheets into “game shape” for Sunday.
“It’s going great. I have a great crew (seven) and the volunteers (up to 20) have been amazing. We’re looking forward to a great week of curling.”
The winning women’s team will qualify for the Canadian Scotties Tournament of Hearts scheduled to take place from February 14 to 23, 2025, at Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The men’s teams will be competing for the opportunity to represent Ontario at the Montana’s Brier, set to be held from February 28 to March 9, 2025, at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
