Advertisement

Curling Season On Thin Ice

Share:

Ncc
Sand floor at the Niverville Curling Club, where low temperatures have delayed ice making Joel Martens

If someone were to ask me for an example of global warming, they would need to look no further than the past starting dates at the Niverville Curling Club. 25 years ago, it was not uncommon for us to start curling by December 1. Last year, we threw our first rock on January 6.

It is now the third week of December as I stare out onto the bare sand floor at the NCC. Normally, we would have our ice done and be concentrating on preparing for league play. Having a hand in making the ice since the mid 90s, I can honestly say this is by far the warmest start to winter and the curling season that I can remember.

For those who might not realize, the NCC is a 3-sheet natural ice facility, which relies entirely on mother nature to maintain the ice temperature. Each year a dedicated group of volunteers help make the ice and organize the league that runs on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. This year put a lot of extra pressure on our volunteers, as we all  had to find time during the busy holiday season. 

Other programs running at the NCC include Junior Curling, the famous 2-on-2 bonspiel, Couples Curling, and Intro to Curling for the high school gym class.

Over the last couple of months, the NCC has gone through two renovation projects. The first project, on the strength of a $10,000 accessibility grant from the province, allowed us to remodel the men’s and women’s bathrooms from top to bottom. The second project concentrated on the basement, where new paint, flooring, and cabinets were installed. Not only will these changes benefit the curlers of NCC, but also other organizations that are able to rent the space for activities like yoga, birthday parties, and family gatherings.

This year's curling season is set to begin on January 5, provided mother nature cooperates, and the NCC volunteers are able to finish making the ice surface. Here’s hoping Santa brings some cold temperatures with him from the North Pole. Until next time… hurry hard!

Advertisement
More SPORTS & RECREATION

Nighthawks Season Ends in Sweep

The Niverville Nighthawks have been eliminated from the MJHL postseason after a 3–2 season-ending loss in game four at the CRRC on Thursday night to the Steinbach Pistons. With their backs up...

Read more

The Niverville Nighthawks have been eliminated from the MJHL postseason after a 3–2 season-ending loss in game four at the CRRC on Thursday night to the Steinbach Pistons. With their backs up...

Read more

Accessible Sport Expo Comes to Niverville

On Saturday, March 30, the CRRC in Niverville will host an Accessible Sport Expo. The event is put together by Accessible Sport Connections (ASC), a non-profit that works to provide those with...

Read more

On Saturday, March 30, the CRRC in Niverville will host an Accessible Sport Expo. The event is put together by Accessible Sport Connections (ASC), a non-profit that works to provide those with...

Read more
Advertisement

Nighthawks Lose Double Overtime Heartbreaker

The Niverville Nighthawks are fighting for their playoff lives after a gut-wrenching 3–2 double overtime loss to the Steinbach Pistons on Tuesday night. With the loss, the Nighthawks go down 3–1...

Read more

The Niverville Nighthawks are fighting for their playoff lives after a gut-wrenching 3–2 double overtime loss to the Steinbach Pistons on Tuesday night. With the loss, the Nighthawks go down 3–1...

Read more

Niverville Rec Director Wins Prestigious Award

In early March, Chantel Todd, recreation director for the town of Niverville, was honoured with the Prairie Crocus Award, the most prestigious award given by Recreation Manitoba. The award is given...

Read more

In early March, Chantel Todd, recreation director for the town of Niverville, was honoured with the Prairie Crocus Award, the most prestigious award given by Recreation Manitoba. The award is given...

Read more
Advertisement

Nighthawks Fall Behind 2–0 in First Round Series

The Steinbach Pistons continue to show why they are the top team in the MJHL this season. In game two, they notched another convincing 5–2 victory over the Niverville Nighthawks in the first round...

Read more

The Steinbach Pistons continue to show why they are the top team in the MJHL this season. In game two, they notched another convincing 5–2 victory over the Niverville Nighthawks in the first round...

Read more

Nighthawks Drop Game One

The Steinbach Pistons got the best of the Niverville Nighthawks in game one of their best-of-seven series with a decisive 5–2 win on Friday night in La Broquerie. Niverville was able to hang...

Read more

The Steinbach Pistons got the best of the Niverville Nighthawks in game one of their best-of-seven series with a decisive 5–2 win on Friday night in La Broquerie. Niverville was able to hang...

Read more
Advertisement

MJHL Playoff Preview: Nighthawks Ready for Round One

The Niverville Nighthawks will enter the MJHL playoffs as massive underdogs in their first-round series against the top-seed Steinbach Pistons. It’s going to be a tall order, but the Nighthawks...

Read more

The Niverville Nighthawks will enter the MJHL playoffs as massive underdogs in their first-round series against the top-seed Steinbach Pistons. It’s going to be a tall order, but the Nighthawks...

Read more

CRRC Event Connects Young Women with Sports

On March 8, the CRRC in Niverville, in association with Sport Manitoba, hosted its first Bison Transport Girls Multi-Sport Event. Teresa Mistelbacher, the CRRC’s supervisor of camps and...

Read more

On March 8, the CRRC in Niverville, in association with Sport Manitoba, hosted its first Bison Transport Girls Multi-Sport Event. Teresa Mistelbacher, the CRRC’s supervisor of camps and...

Read more
Time until next issue
Citizen Poll

Is it prudent for Niverville’s council to encourage a broad shift to municipal water as soon as the government grants become available?

For related article, see https://nivervillecitizen.com/...