Forty-four teams competed at the men's and ladies combined curling bonspiel at a packed St. Paul curling rink between March 18-20. Teams travelled from as far away as Two Hills, Boyle, Lac La Biche and Goodsoil, Saskatchewan, to partake in the weekend's competition.
Organizers said the turnout was one of the highest St. Paul has seen in decades and is already being heralded as the most successful bonspiel in recent history. President of St. Paul Curling, Gerry Jean, was impressed with the turnout and couldn't be happier with the event's growth in popularity.
“Word of mouth is getting out there that this a good spiel and a lot of fun," said Jean. “Thanks to all the teams who came out, it's a blast to have them all out here."
With over 185 registered curlers, St. Paul is proving itself to be one of Alberta's curling hotbeds and it looks like other communities are taking notice, according to Jean.
“Every year all these teams are saying ' Oh, this is a blast, we're coming back next year'," said Jean.
This is the third year the tournament has been a mixed ladies and mens event. Competing teams were given ample opportunity for ice time as three different tournament brackets allowed losing teams the chance to win in bracket 'B,' and losers in bracket 'B' were given the opportunity to win in bracket 'C'.
With a bonspiel of this size and with so many games to organize, Jean admits that without the help and hard work from volunteers, the tournament would simply not exist.“To get 44 teams curling you've got a lot of organizing to do to get everybody out there at the right time," said Jean. “Right through from getting all our sponsors and collecting money for door prizes, there are probably 20 to 30 volunteers getting it all going."
On the Saturday night, team members took a hiatus from the tournament as players sipped back beverages and enjoyed a catered feast before returning back to action. Door and raffle prizes were up for grabs as spectators bid on various items like 'gravity chairs,' golf gear, lawn ornaments and plenty of other goodies.
After allowing time to digest, games ran late into the evening on Saturday as the finals were drawn up for Sunday afternoon.
On Sunday, six winners were crowned from the three mens and ladies brackets:
Ladies A Skip: Laurel Plamondon, Third: Brenda Robitaille, Second: Mellissa Laurie, Lead: Simone Cadieux.
Ladies B Skip: Carol Leach, Third: Alicia Rudkowsky, Second: Kennedi Austin, Lead: Andrea Austin.
Ladies C Skip: Sharon Salomonm, Third: Caroline Yewchin, Second: Maria Leskiw, Lead: Rhonda Collins
Mens A Skip: Dan Bojarski, Third: Floyd Kunnas, Second: Greg McCormick, Lead: Loren Bojarski
Mens B Skip: Paul Kunnas, Third: Wes English, Second: Chris Peirson, Lead: Bert Gervais
Mens C Skip: Dan Leach, Third: Corey Leach, Second: Kyle Leach, Lead Cody Leach
Congratulations to the winning teams and to all those who competed and attended the bonspiel.
