Email Newsletter – Abbotsford Curling Club

Thanks for a Great Season

April 15, 2023 T. White

Hi All,

I wanted to thank everyone for another fun and successful year at the curling club. Special thanks to Nic Hoffard and Kevin Kostuk for helping me with the ice so I could get away to Hedley and spend time with the family, to Darlene Mclaren for assisting me in the office, pro shop, bar and making sure everyone had paid there dues, Paula LeSage for looking after the Monday, Wednesday night leagues and the junior program, and of course Linda Wilmott for making sure the bar was well stocked and everyone was well served. I will be back in the fall but this time with Della helping out in the bar and office, etc. The ice is almost out now and I will be leaving in 2 weeks for our vacation to Nashville, Memphis and the Kentucky Derby, yeeehaaa.

GOLF TOURNAMENT SUNDAY MAY 7

The Golf Tournament is taking place on Sunday, May 7 at Fraserglen Golf Course. Tee times will start at 10am in a best ball / scramble format. Registration and payment is on line at the link: https://abbotsford.curling.io/en/competitions

55+ GAMES VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are still in need of volunteers for the 55+ games curling events being held at the Abbotsford Curling Club from August 22 to 26. If anyone is interested please contact George Peary at: georgepeary@shaw.ca

ACADEMY OF CURLING SEPT. 15-17

Registration is filling up fast for the Academy of Curling we are hosting on September 15 to 17. There is limited space ( clinic #2 is now sold out ) so please register soon to assure your entry. This year’s clinic will be run as two 1.5 day clinics with both clinics covering the same material and skill set. There will be no banquet this year. Registration is online at the link: https://abbotsfordcurling.com/academy-of-curling-2023/

BOB FATKIN RAFFLE

Thank you all for supporting the raffle in memory of Bob Fatkin. The raffle sold out and raised $2,790 which was matched in donation by Bob’s generous wife Diane Fatkin for a total of $5,580 to support junior and novice curling. These funds will help both programs for many years to come.

That is all for now. Have a Great summer everyone.

Cheers,
Kent & Della Bird

Message from the President

March 11, 2022 T. White

Hello to All Abbotsford Curlers,

Thank You

A big thank you to all those club members who participated in the recent club review that culminated in the return of 234 surveys. The backgrounder distributed before the survey sparked some lively debate and discussion among members and heightened interest in the survey itself. The Board was very pleased with the response from our present members (182) and from the 52 people who curled with us in the past.

You provided the Board of Directors with some very valuable information and guidance as the club moves forward. A cursory review of the data reveals that covid largely caused our loss of members, resulting in our recent financial losses. That should surprise no-one. However, the survey suggested a wide range of solutions; some doable, some maybe not so much. There were many other suggestions for club improvements such as how to attract young curlers and how to address the aging demographics of our club. There is a wealth of information to sift through.

The Board considered the results of the survey at the Board meeting in February and set some priorities. The Membership and Funding committees were asked to formulate action plans in these two areas to present to the March Board meeting and at the April AGM. These action plans can then take effect starting next fall and be used during the 2022/23 season. Some of the suggestions from the survey will have longer lasting implications for the Board and for the club.

A special thank you to Theresa White, a member of the Board, who organized and collated the results of the survey. She is presently working on a more detailed and complete feedback to members that you will receive at a later date.

Thanks again for your help.

Gord Wallington, President

DATES TO REMEMBER

March 18 to 20 Senior Mixed Bonspiel

April 9 Day of Champions / Drain the KEGS / Last Day of Curling

April 13 Annual General meeting

September 16 to 18 Academy of Curling

Merry Christmas

December 20, 2021 T. White

MERRY CHRISTMAS

With the fall season ending and the Christmas holiday approaching, we cannot help but reflect upon the events of the last four months. As a curling club we went from expectations of a normal curling season to one of continued covid restrictions, restrictions that now seem pretty routine and maybe even a new “normal” for some time to come. Though our membership numbers were down and our leagues were reduced, we were having fun, the ultimate object of the endeavor after all.

Then the atmospheric rivers arrived. We lost our motors and our ice but like a phoenix we rose again, postponed events, resumed curling, and completed this most unusual season. We lost 3 weeks of a sport, a past time, a leisure activity. But many in our community lost a life time; their homes, their farms, their livelihood, their treasures. There is no comparison. Hats off to our members who helped during the emergency, donating their time, their resources, their energy to help their neighbours and friends. It showed the Abbotsford spirit in the community and was reflected at the club.

Many people worked long hours to get the plant back up and operating again. The machine room had to be cleaned. People donated equipment. It took hours to reinstall the ice and now it is being groomed back to its prime condition. We thank Kent for the many hours he has spent working to make this happen and to all those who have helped him. Our many volunteers have worked countless hours to ensure that our events have been successful and safe. It has been a long fall. They all have earned a well deserved holiday.

The Board of Directors wishes all members and their families a wonderful holiday season filled with all the magic of Christmas. May 2022 be your best year ever. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Gord Wallington

President, ACC

on behalf of the Board of Directors