Keeping recreational facilities operable in rural communities is an ongoing challenge. Blaine Lake Community Association is affiliated with the Saskatchewan Curling Association (SCA) and had access to the SCA grassroots pilot project of Enhancing Your Curling Rink Membership Program.
The three-hour workshop was facilitated by a facilitator appointed by SCA. Brian Champion, regional director for the Saskatchewan Curling Association, assists small curling facilities with identifying their operational challenges and guiding those attending the seminar to seek solutions to raise awareness and increase membership. The objective of the program is 'to promote curling as a viable recreational activity in a community.'
Eight citizens representing various Blaine Lake organizations attended the three-hour workshop in Blaine Lake to focus on increasing curling rink membership and awareness in the community. Objectives of the workshop were to devise solutions to increase curling rink membership, develop a working relationship between the school and curling rink, enhance the community recreational programs, plan for the future and implement the plan.
Round table discussion was held to develop innovative ways to network with community partners while hearing the success stories of other communities. Attendees were provided a resource package to further guide their project and to assist with generating an interest in curling. With continued public support, the curling organization will be able to accomplish its goals to enhance the curling membership.
The workshop concluded with the decision to host a couple sturling events in the new year. More information will be made available soon.
