Medicine Hat Curling Club unable to reopen this season

Alberta Newspaper Group

There will be no local curling season this year as the Medicine Hat Curling Club continues ongoing repairs to its facility.

Members of public services committee heard Monday the club has intentions to reopen for the 2024-25 curling season.

“They’re looking forward to the curling season back in that building next season,” said Brian Stauth, managing director of public services.

The club ceased operation last year after a brine leak prevented ice from being maintained. In July, the city purchased the curling club facility to help fund the cost of a new ice plant and ice mats.

Council approved the purchase agreement of $870,000 that funded the downpayment for the new ice equipment.

Club officials hoped the new equipment could be purchased and installed before this curling season. However, production of the new ice plant will take several more months than originally planned.

“We were optimistic and we remained optimistic … When we placed the order, some of those parts were not available for several months and so that just diminished the odds of outfitting the club,” said Cal Hauserman, co-chair of the facilities committee with the Medicine Hat Curling Club.

Club officials say they are actively working with other rinks in surrounding communities to make sure Hatters will still be able to throw stones this season.

“We have some rinks curling in Redcliff, some curling in Irvine,” says Hauserman. “Both the two clubs that I’ve worked with in Irvine and Redcliff have been fantastic, they’re very open and welcoming.”

Hauserman says juniors have been able to curl on small rinks around the city.

In December, the club is expected to hear the status of their application for assistance from the province’s Community Facilities Enhancement Grant.

Club officials expect the new ice plant and ice mats to arrive next August and are on track to open the curling facility for the 2024-25 season.

“We’re going to look at making sure we have a great grand reopening in the fall,” said Hauserman.