CurlSask president sees strength in amalgamation
Tartan, Caledonian clubs propose to merge at Callie site next season
The executive director of CurlSask is confident the future of her beloved sport is bright despite two Regina clubs amalgamating because of increasing costs and fewer curlers.
“We’re down a club, but on the other hand, we’re going to have another really strong club in Regina,” said Ashley Howard with CurlSask, the provincial governing body of curling.
The board of directors of the Tartan and Caledonian curling clubs signed an agreement Wednesday proposing amalgamation of the two clubs to come together under one roof at the Callie site for the 2018-19 season.
An informal offer to purchase the Tartan on Broadway Avenue was one of the catalysts behind the big changes. That offer has now been formalized and the building is set to be sold, said Michael Lavis, a board member of the Tartan Curling Club.
But, he added, “All of this is subject to the approval of our membership. A membership meeting will be held in mid-August.”
The clubs will rebrand under a new name at the Callie facility on Sandra Schmirler Way.
For the past couple of years, Regina’s three curling clubs (the Tartan, Callie and Highland) have been talking about ways to ensure the long-term viability of the sport — the amalgamation is the first step in making that happen, Lavis said.
“All three clubs are struggling to some degree because of the reality of rising costs and membership isn’t keeping pace to cover those rising costs,” he said. “How do you continue to make this sport accessible to everyone? It really boils down to making it affordable, but also realizing we’ve got some facilities that need some work.”
The Tartan opened at its current location in 1958.
The aging facility needs a number of improvements.
“Does it make sense to continue to invest in the maintenance of these existing facilities or come together and unify these clubs so that we can actually develop a viable club that has some financial security for the future?” Lavis questioned.
He anticipates some proceeds from the sale of the Tartan will be used to upgrade facilities at the Callie, which has 12 sheets of ice.
Lavis estimated the Tartan has between 600 and 700 members that curl on the club’s 10 sheets.
“(In the past) all three clubs around the city had full leagues operating every night of the week,” Lavis said.
“Today, the reality is that clubs have a 7 p.m. draw, but it’s quite common to find all three clubs empty at 9 p.m.
“Not that long ago, the clubs were packed with two or three draws a night.”
Both clubs are optimistic that with some accommodation, the Callie facility will have the capacity to integrate all existing teams and leagues at one site.
“One unified facility will be a very vibrant club with a full house versus lots of empty seats and dwindling draw times — that’s been the reality,” Lavis said. “We’ll actually reduce operational expenses because you don’t have all the duplication of services and expenses.”
He noted young people have a variety of sports to participate in and “we’re just not getting the number of youths coming out to curl that we once did.”
Callie vice-president Brian Warbey is excited about the amalgamation that he believes will help ensure the long-term sustainability of curling in Regina.
“It means there’s going to be increased competition — you’re not playing the same team every Thursday,” he said.
“You’ll have a club that’s full and lots of healthy competition.”
Warbey acknowledged some curlers might quit the sport if they can’t curl at the Tartan or move to another club, but added the Callie will be able to accommodate everyone wishing to curl.
One of the big draws to curling at the Callie is easy access and parking.
“It’s very accessible with the Ring Road and the Lewvan as the two main access routes to the Callie,” Warbey said. “Once you get there, there is more parking around the facility, more than the other two clubs were able to offer.”
Last year, Howard noted seven new clubs affiliated with CurlSask, and says the number of curlers continues to grow across the province, particularly among youths.
On Thursday, she was in Nipawin at a curling summer camp attended by 200 youths, 12 to 18 years, from 70 communities across the province.
A curler for 24 years who represented Saskatchewan at the 2016 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Howard is passionate about the sport and has a strong affection for the Tartan.
“When you walk into the Tartan, it’s the history that strikes me,” Howard said. “The walls are lined with previous champions that have represented the Tartan. That history and passion will transfer over to the Callie rink as well and build on their history.”