A curling bonspiel held at Lac La Biche’s Bold Center offered restless and young-at-heart seniors two days of exercise and fun.
Last week, 15 teams comprised of people 55-years of age and older competed for the first time on the newly-built multiplex’s curling ice. Each team played four games at the bonspiel that brought in eight teams from St. Paul, two from Athabasca and five from Lac La Biche.
“Our local group is called the Young and the Restless Curling Club,” said Peter Ponich, the vice president of the seniors curling club in Lac La Biche.
After joking that he had nothing to do with the youth-oriented name, Ponich added that while the club’s season is going well, membership has dropped due to ailing athletes.
“The club had 34 members two years ago but the numbers have dwindled down to 24 due to health issues,” said Ponich. “We’ll continue as long as our members are here.”
Lac La Biche curling veteran Susan Shewchuk, 79, said despite undergoing back surgery last November, she felt spry enough to skip her ad hoc team. She added that the exercise is good for her and is recommended by her doctor.
“Even my surgeon said ‘pushing out of the hack is better than exercise at home,’” she said, while preparing for a double takeout. ”I’ve been curling for 50 years. I love it.”
Ollie Zapisocki, whose St. Paul team placed third in the tournament, shares Shewchuk’s passion for the sport and enjoys playing on the Bold Center ice this year.
“I like the ice here,” she said, adding that the bonspiel boasts surprising amounts of talent.
“Never under-estimate someone’s curling based on their age,” continued Zapisocki.
While Ponich agreed that the ice at the Bold Center is better to play on than the previous ice at the old Lac La Biche Curling Club, he said the old ice was very well maintained considering the issues that would arise with the 40-year age of the facility. He also added that some comforts of the old rink are missing in the new space.
“It’s been good, but that transition to the new curling rink has been difficult,” he said. “They don’t have the same amenities here. There’s a small lunch area here and the lounge is still under construction. It’s crowded.”
Brian Hall, Dan Brown, Paul Boisvert and Jim Turton from St. Paul took top spot at the bonspiel and a team from Athabasca placed second.
