The 59thannual Midway Men’s Bonspiel has come to be almost the sole event of the curling season at the Boundary District Curling Club in Midway because of mechanical problems that shut the rink down last Dec. 5.
What was thought to be an $8,000 refit became a $28,000 job with the club having to scramble for dollars to get it back in operation.
They finally got the ice in on March 5, one day ahead of the 2015 bonspiel.
“Our goal was to be up and running for the men’s bonspiel and then curl for whatever interest there is for the rest of the month,” said club president Kim Lindseth. This month of operation will be a shakedown of sorts, making sure the new chiller unit works perfectly.
To help cover the costs, a number of the club members paid their dues as a donation; others provided refundable donations. Grants and donations also came from other organizations and local government. The result is a plant that should be good for another 20 years though, Lindseth said.
The equipment in the rink is essentially brand new because the brine pump had been changed out in September before the season began.
Twelve teams came together to play in the 2015 Men’s Bonspiel.
Winners of the 59th annual Midway Men’s’ Bonspiel are:
Rink 1A
Kevin Maffioli
Dave Bartlett
Bob Vanderbyl
Rob Darrah
Rink 1B
Bob Patterson
Randy McLean
Rob Marshall
Ken Johnson
Rink 1C
Gordon Shimizu
Homer Good
Harold Edstrom
Ed Watamaniuk