The teams have been announced. The sponsors have been secured. The Tisdale Community Curling Club is ready to host the Affinity Senior Curling Provincial Championships.
Eight men’s teams and eight women’s teams will compete for the provincial title at the Tisdale Curling Rink Feb. 21 to Feb. 25. The first draw starts at 9 a.m.
Andy Renaud, the sponsorship chair, said he’s been overwhelmed with the support the event’s receiving from the community.
“We were thinking when we began the process if we could get 50 individuals and 50 businesses to sponsor it, between $200 and $500, that would be good because we asked for so much last year,” he said, referring to the SaskTel Men’s Tankard. “We went out with that in our mind and we actually got almost 160 sponsors.”
Those sponsors will be honoured at two event held Feb. 15 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Feb. 16 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“With that money, we’re going to raise over $35,000 and that’s going to help the curling club.”
For the men’s tournament, the teams are Randy Gilewich, Al Schick, Ray Krupski, Rod Quintin, Darrell McKee, Brian Humble, Brad Heidt and Eugene Hritzuk.
For the women’s, the teams are Sherry Anderson, Tracy Streifel, Peggy Fernquist, Jacqueline Swiderski, Delores Arguin, Catherine Inglis and Connie Rayner.
There will be three draws per day. The finals will be held Feb. 25 at 1 p.m., unless a tie-breaker’s required. Passes are available at Renaud Realty and the curling rink. The winners will go to the nationals in Stratford, Ont. March 24 to 29.
As for non-curling activities, there’s a banquet Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. featuring prime rib and magician Chester McBain. The Patch will be open Feb. 23 and 24, with live entertainment from Bar Fly from 9 p.m. to 12.
The organizing committee is chaired by Bob Jackson.
“We have some experience because we’ve hosted the men’s provincial last year and so lots of the same people were on this committee and had the same knowledge,” Renaud said.
“It’s gone well,” said Robin Fenton, the publicity chair. “Everybody chipped in and did their thing.”
Fenton added there are 50 volunteers that’ll keep the event running throughout the week.
