It's hoped a touch of volunteer fever will sweep the Estevan community as organizers get ready for the 2018 SaskTel Tankard later this winter.
The campaign for volunteers began Saturday, with instructions to help out people who may wish to join the campaign. The Tankard hasn't always been the volunteer-heavy event but this time it's different.
“It's been 15 years since Estevan last hosted it,” said Pauline Ziehl-Grimsrud, sponsorship committee chair. “And the fact is, 15 years ago, it was in the Civic Auditorium and now we've got a first rate facility. We want to show off Affinity Place.”
In the back of their minds, organizers are hoping a well-run event now may lead in the future to bigger curling events.
“I think this is our stepping stone right now because it's been so many years,” Ziehl-Grimsrud said. “It's time Estevan does host it. Once we get through this, it's time to start looking at hosting on a much larger scale.”
Corporate sponsorship leading up to this event has been coming well.
“We're still looking for volunteers, because it still takes over 100 volunteers to make this happen,” she said. “We're still looking for sponsorship as well.”
Volunteer co-ordinator Pam DeChief is helping lead the team that will be needed for the Tankard.
“We have several jobs at the Tankard that you do not need to be an avid curler,” said DeChief. “We have people that need to take money at the door, to check admission tickets and checking volunteers in and out. There are special volunteer volunteers with the officials and the timers that do need provincial accreditation to be volunteering in those positions.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact DeChief for an online registration form at [email protected]
“In early Janurary, they'll receive an email for what shifts are available to work in the different areas,” she said. “People can pick their own shifts.”
