ESTEVAN - The Estevan Oilfield Technical Society (OTS) is looking forward to hosting its 63rd annual open bonspiel on March 22 and 23 at the Power Dodge Curling Centre.
Sam Bakala, who is the chairman of the bonspiel committee, said they have been receiving registrations and securing sponsorships. As of Wednesday morning, 24 teams had registered, giving them a full field.
They expect the bonspiel will start at noon on March 22. The curling will continue throughout the afternoon and the evening, with the exception of a break for supper at 6 p.m. at the curling rink.
Additional games will be played on March 23 and the bonspiel will wrap up in the evening.
"If everything goes according to plan, the A, B and C final matches on March 23 would be at 8 p.m.," said Bakala.
It will also be the final competition of the year at the Power Dodge Curling Centre.
There has been a lot of interest in the bonspiel, Bakala said. Registrations were submitted early and they have some teams that have never competed before. A number of perennial entries are also back.
The bonspiel carries a strong social component and opportunities for networking, which Bakala said is the most important part of the weekend.
"It's nice to get everybody together. It's good for the curling club. They make some money having a busy weekend, and it brings business and some people from out of town into town … for the event," said Bakala.
"That's the biggest part. We want everybody to come out and have fun. It's a social event, and the networking and the socializing and the visiting and the good times that are had are what the event's really about."
Some curlers are competitive, creating some good curling during the weekend, he said, but a lot of the people who come out want to have fun on the ice and see everybody who is participating.
And thanks to the number of out-of-town teams, there will be a good spinoff for the hotels and other businesses in the hospitality sector.
