By Tyler Marr

Provincial Mixed Curling Championship set for Wednesday kick-off

Mar 20, 2018 | 5:00 PM

The Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club (PAGCC) is decked out in blue and the Provincial Mixed Curling Championship host committee is eager to showcase one last hurrah of competitive curling in the province.

“I think it is going to be a good, fun weekend,” co-chair Bryan Rindal said. 

Twenty teams from across the province are set to descend on Prince Albert for the five-day championship. The winner of mixed provincials will go on to represent Saskatchewan at the National Mixed event in November 2018. 

Players will hit the ice Wednesday night with a draw at 7 p.m. when Team Thevenot from Sutherland Curling Club will take on Prince Albert’s Team Korte, made up of skip Bruce Korte, third Brett Barber, second Jayden Shwaga and lead Robyn Despins.

The second team representing Prince Albert, Team Bibby, consists of skip Brad Bibby, third Sherry Just, second Chad Gareau and lead Patricia Bibby. They will play Thursday at 12 p.m. against the winner of the Thursday morning 9 a.m. draw, where Team Desormeau plays Kendel.

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Draws run Thursday at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., and 4 p.m., and Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. Championship rounds start Saturday at 7 p.m. A champion will be decided through straight elimination, contrary to playoffs at other events. Draw 11 and 12 take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Opening ceremonies will go Thursday after the 4 p.m. draw.

With the championship coming off the back of the Scotties, Brier and the debut of mixed-doubles curling at the Olympics, Rindal hopes the hype around these events will drive crowds to the PAGCC. 

“It is nice to watch on your TV and I understand it is nice to be able to hear them discussing strategy,” he said. “But you don’t get the social atmosphere in your basement that you get at that club or arena.”

Admission for the event is free, with Rindal asking patrons to make a contribution to the 50/50 to help the club. He said the host committe worked hard to prepare the facility for the event, comparing it to when “grandma comes to visit, you make the house look good.”

“We are just trying to get people out and get them to enjoy our club and come watch some curling,” he added.

The event marks another bright spot for the local curling club, after securing the 2019 New Holland Canadian Junior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships. The city last welcomed mixed provincials in 2000, which was won by Scott Coghlan, Kim Hodson, Murry Humble and Laurie Secord-Humble.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr