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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1996-11-20, Page 17tt Tim of chane for Cathey Cade, club member president, delivers a rock during a OM 4 411 Thursday__n_igbt. _ Exeter. Cu Ing CTTu'' rs"'blardngr junior curling program for' youngsters on Sundays. Glen M/ckle, left, cleans off a rock at the Exeter Curling Club on Friday afternoon. Mickle is one of the club's oldest players but at 75 years -old his game is strong- er than ever. Seniors curl at the club every Friday after- noon. Steak 1. • 8 oz. N.Y. Strip, baked potato, . glad, roll $9.99 G1118 ar 114 GRILL St. N. Exeter 235.2773 Second Section - November 20, 1996 xeter Curling Club By Chris Skalkos T•A Reporter EXETER - Since 1960 the Exeter Curling Club as not seen many changes, but this upcoming son will be recorded as a time of change. 4 For the first time in 36 years the club has xpanded its facilities giving the upper level more room and an interior make -over, including he addition of a bar and washrooms, a venience club members have long waited for. Jim Kerslake, club chairperson,' said moving !the bar and washroom upstairs will allow ;spectators to watch the games while enjoying r`.these facilities without the need of going to the slower level of the building which will now t become a larger locker room area. He expects the change will increase the number of people who curl at the club on weekends and at social bonspiels. The expanded gallery will also help 'accommodate the large number of spectators ';expected during the provincial playdown at the 'fend of the season. Exeter has won a bid to host one of the most prestigious curling events in the province this spring. The club will play host rink to the Colt and Masters Provincial Championships at the ':end of March, an event which will feature 64 of the province's best curlers playing here in Exeter. The four-day event will attract an estimated 1,200 people and the media coverage it is expected to receive will put Exeter's curling club on the map. The Colts and Masters along with the renovations will certainly boost the club's profile and attract new members and shareholders, two things the club needs in order to survive. Cathy Cade, president of club membership, )said` ti u�"'' Pias grown in popularity over the years but most of the club's members are over 35 and they are trying to entice the younger age groups by working with the high school curling team and by initiating a new junior curling program. This season the club will begin its new junior curling program designed to introduce youngsters between eight and 13 to the sport and to the club. Susan Brintnell and two other volunteers are running the program, all three have recently completed a Level One instructors course to help them prepare future curlers. The program, which runs from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sundays for 12 weeks, costs $25 to register, however, Brintnell said the money is returned to the kids at the end of the year in the form of a party/bonspiel. "We charge the $25 because we want them to make a commitment," said Brintnell adding equipment is provided and the club may consider purchasing "little rocks" which are smaller and lighter. Club member Harry Jacobi also offers a free introductory lesson for adults on Tuesday evenings. Jacobi said he volunteers his time to teach beginners because he wants to share his love for curling and claims once people give the sport a try they'll be hooked. Approximately 220 people are hooked on curling at the Exeter Curling Club and the club membership is still growing especially among senior citizens and younger couples. Friday afternoons are set aside for the senior curlers or as they like to call themselves "the Ice Kings." Many of them are lawn bowlers during the summer season and enjoy the similarities between the two sports. Don Dawe an Ice King veteran said curling is growing in popularity among seniors as a way to stay fit, explaining that the sweeping motion of the broom is good exercise. He also appreciates the social aspects playing at the club provides saying many jokes are shared over a hot cup of chocolate after the game. The social atmosphere is what makes many first time curlers join the club and accounts for the large number of people found at the mixed social night on Friday evenings. "People are discovering curling is a very social sport and the design of the club will help enhance the social atmosphere here... it's a great way to meet people," said Cade adding more than a few relationships started on the ice. Because the club is not privately owned they are able to keep membership fees down and it is considerably cheap: to curl,in Exeter than larger centres. Funding for theelub currently comes from approximately 350 shareholders and through fundraising bonspiels. All members have the opportunity to buy shares in the club. This is not unique to curling clubs in the province, but Cade said an obvious advantage of being owned by club members is the pride they invest in their club. "A lot of members helped with the constructions and painting," said Cade explaining how there is never a shortage of volunteers to help with the building's maintenance or organizing bonspiels. "You can tell by looking around, the people here are proud of their club." 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