The Estevan Oilfield Technical Society (OTS) is preparing for the start of a milestone edition of its open curling bonspiel.
The 60th edition of the event will take place on March 22 and 23 at the Power Dodge Curling Centre. Up to 32 teams can enter this year.
Games have been reduced from eight to six ends for this year’s bonspiel. Estevan OTS president Conrad Meili, who co-chairs the bonspiel with Devon Fornwald, expects the shorter games will make the bonspiel easier for recreational curlers.
“We keep everything at the curling rink now, so we do a supper there on Friday (March 22), along with sponsor recognition and major prize draws,” said Meili.
He expects that registration for the bonspiel will begin at 11 a.m. on March 22, and the first draw will begin at noon. The final games are expected to be wrapped up in the early evening of March 23, with a social to follow.
Spectators will be encouraged to sit at ice level to cheer on their favourite teams, and a red-eye social is expected to occur before curling March 23.
The bonspiel has a new drawmaster this year in Gary St. Onge, and Meili said St. Onge is eager to get the draw complete as soon as possible, but they also want to give everyone who is interested a chance to register.
Meili said there is excitement growing in the patch for the bonspiel. The competition was about half-full as of the afternoon of March 13.
“With every passing day, you get a different wave of people signing up and asking questions that tip their hand that people are looking forward to it. It’s an event that has a long-standing history in the area.”
He also pointed out that people in the oilfield have been working diligently so that they can have their work finished before spring road restrictions come into effect, and that’s part of the reason why many people wait until just before the bonspiel to register. Road bans usually come into effect just before the bonspiel.
Meili finds the bonspiel to be a fun event that allows people to enjoy some camaraderie, and to visit with their family and friends in the patch.
