Kelowna Curling Club open for 80th season

Curling season is here. The world’s largest permanent curling rink has opened its doors at the Kelowna Curling Club for an 80th season, kicking off the calendar with multiple leagues filling the 12-sheet facility.

The buzz around the rink had everyone smiling and having a good time on Thursday. Curling club general manager Jock Tyre says it's exciting to have everyone back in full force.

“We’re just finding the response is overwhelming with new curlers coming in as well as the old ones coming back. There’s been some division because of the whole COVID thing, so people didn’t curl over the last couple years. And now, it’s just like one big happy family, everyone is coming home to the curling club."

Tyre says the club has both fall and winter leagues this year for people who can’t commit to curling for a full season.

“What’s really neat is that our novice leagues and our pride and UBC leagues are all broken into halves. So we have a fall session and a winter session," said Tyre.

"So if you’re busy golfing still or got work to do around, or even the orchardists we find are busy in the fall, they can sign up for the January leagues and come on out and enjoy the winter at the club.”

The curling club is also excited to announce the addition of a new bonspiel coming later this month called the Homecoming Spiel.

"It’s just a fun afternoon. It’s Saturday October 22, and it’s meant for all levels of curling, so come on down. What you want to do is register ahead, give us a call at the office. It’s only $80 and that includes a really nice supper, so it’s almost free.”

The Kelowna Curling Club’s 80th season will run from October until late March 2023, and there’s still a little bit of room to sign up if you want to throw some stones.