Author: T. White

Happy Monday to All,

We have some good news today, the 3rd motor is scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning so we should be able to start the refrigeration plant up Wednesday or Thursday this week. So long as this next storm doesn’t cause any more flooding.

This means we will back curling next week just in time for the Senior mixed bonspiel on Friday December 3 at 8am. We owe a big thank you to the cities of Abbotsford and Vancouver for providing us with the white paint for the install and to Smart Ice, Dayne Gagnon, for helping with the install next week.

I am planning to extend the season 2 weeks in the new year from March 26, 2022 to April 9, 2022. This will get us 2 weeks of curling back from this unplanned shut down. I am also planning to have the last day of full curling before Christmas break on Thursday December 23, so all Thursday leagues can plan to play on December 23. We will also have ice open a few days the week after Christmas for a fun bonspiel and for family and friends to come down and burn off some of the Christmas stuffing. More details to come for the mini bonspiel so stay tuned.

That is all for now.

Cheers,

Kent Bird

Good Morning to All,
 
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to extend our heart felt sympathies to all those who have been devastated by the floods on the Sumas Prairie. Our loss of a few curling games is pretty insignificant compared to the challenges those people are facing.  We also want to thank the first responders and the many volunteers who rushed to help as they always do.
 
Now to our curling club dilemma.  As you are aware, last Sunday the pump room flooded from a storm sewer back-up destroying three pump motors.  The ice started to melt.  The brine pump was replaced fairly quickly but the compressor pumps were another matter.  Despite the best efforts of the repair men they could not get the new compressor motor to work properly and the ice is no longer salvageable.  At the present time it seems two replacement motors will not be available until next week.  This means that Kent will have to remove the present ice, clean the logos and re-install the ice when the plant is running again.  The rink will be closed for at least another week or two.  Kent expects to have the rink ready to go in time for the Senior Mixed Bonspiel on Dec 3. 
 
This is an accident that no one could have predicted or prevented, just like the tragedy unfolding around us. Though the damage is covered by insurance, we won’t get the curling time back.  I want to recognize the efforts of Kent who has worked tirelessly during this time to try and get us back up and running ASAP only to have to start over.  It must be very frustrating but he pushes on.  Kent may reach out to individuals for assistance as needed. Kim Turnbull and Dennis Palmer have spent many hours every day in that pump room trying to make things work, adjusting, improvising, moving 700 pound motors.  Our thanks to Chris Lamb for loaning us some much needed equipment. The manager of the Golden Ears Curling club has also offered his assistance and ice time if needed. 
 
We did not need this, especially this year.  But to quote Kelly Clarkson “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger” !
 
We will keep you informed.  We will go on !
 
Gord Wallington  – president