Decades of curling were celebrated from Feb. 27 to March 1 at the Arborg Curling Club.
The Arborg Men’s Bonspiel marked its 80th anniversary edition, with 32 teams competing during an action-packed weekend on and off the sheet.
Friday night’s opening events featured a live auction and calcutta, followed by the annual homemade pie auction on Saturday.
On-ice action saw Team Shane Bauch, Team Stewart Floyd and Team Wes Jonasson win the three respective events.
MLA for Interlake-Gimli Derek Johnson helped kick off the event by throwing the opening stone.
“For eight decades, the Arborg Curling Club has been far more than a sheet of ice. It has been a gathering place where friendships are built, stories are shared and community spirit grows stronger with every season. That kind of legacy does not happen by accident. It is the result of committed volunteers, passionate players, loyal sponsors and generations who believed in keeping this tradition alive,” said Johnson in a social media post.
Johnson honoured the club with a plaque congratulating it on its 80th anniversary.
“I’m glad the club is doing well,” said club president Wes Jonasson. “I would hate to see it close like some of the other clubs in Manitoba, but we’re hanging in there. We seem to keep getting good membership numbers right now, and it would be nice to see 100 years.”
Arborg has continuously produced successful curlers throughout the club’s existence.
Founded in 1946, the Arborg Curling Club has become home to both long-time curlers and those just learning the sport.
Jonasson is excited to see what the future holds for the next generation of local curlers.
“Arborg’s always produced a lot of good curlers over the years, and the younger generation seems to want to follow in those footsteps,” said Jonasson. “We’ve been fortunate that it’s a fun place to curl with lots of good times, and people keep wanting to come out.”
Those attending the bonspiel also had a chance to see all the work that goes into making the event an annual success.
Throughout the decades, volunteers, sponsors and members have kept the club going.
“Without them there would be no club left,” said Jonasson. “It takes a lot of work, and there’s a lot of good people helping out all the time. When we need help, we ask for it, and somebody always steps up.”
