The Meridian Canadian Open event being held in Yorkton has brought some of the best curlers in the world to the city.
That has been a great opportunity for area fans of curling to watch the best of the sport compete live.
But, the greatest benefit of having the event locally could be its legacy of growing interest in curling that translates into more people involved in the Yorkton Curling Club.
鈥淲e have 180 volunteers not only club members but from around the community who wanted to step up for this,鈥� said Neil Weinmaster manager of the local club. 鈥淲e hope that will spin-off to create some interest in our own club.鈥�
Having the world鈥檚 best in the city is also something of a motivation for local curlers, in particular juniors who can see the best in action and aspire to that level, offered Weinmaster, after spending time cleaning and preparing the arena curling ice between draws Friday, a natural job for someone who is also the ice technician in Yorkton.
鈥淭his is a great event. We have 16 ladies and 16 men鈥檚 teams in the world in Yorkton. That doesn鈥檛 happen very often,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e are seeing through the schools Juniors are getting interested in the sport,鈥� he said, adding that schools are building on that this week through the Canadian Open.
鈥淭he weather had depressed it a little bit, but we鈥檝e had schools coming in every day ... to learn about the sport and see professionals play.鈥�
Weinmaster said while the world鈥檚 best are inspirational, he added curling in Yorkton is for players of all levels, including the inexperienced newcomer. He said he realizes some might be intimated and think 鈥淚鈥檓 not good enough to curl in Yorkton,鈥� but that is not the case.
鈥淵ears ago we had more competitive teams. Now it鈥檚 more of a fun, social night out with most of our leagues,鈥� he offered. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not important to curl well, or to feel out of place if you don鈥檛 curl well.鈥�
It helps the game has evolved too. For those who find getting down into the hack difficult a 鈥榙elivery stick鈥� is now useable in casual play. The stick allows players to deliver stones in much the same manner as shuffleboard on a ship.
鈥淭hat has kept a lot of people curling,鈥� said Weinmaster. 鈥淚f you have some issue where it鈥檚 difficult to slide the delivery stick is a great tool.鈥�
While it is January, well into curling season, Weinmaster said it is not too late to get involved with the Yorkton club this season.
鈥淲e have a great opportunity Friday nights with drop-in curling for juniors,鈥� he said. Players can come out on nights they are free, get put on a team and be out on the ice playing.
Friday night is also family drop-in curling.
鈥淭hey will be operating all season long,鈥� said Weinmaster, adding 鈥渋t gives people an opportunity to come out when they can鈥檛 commit to a league.鈥�
