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By Brendan Miller

Curling club uncertain facility will reopen before upcoming season

Jul 5, 2023 | 4:39 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Local curlers may have to start making alternate plans for this winter, with Medicine Hat Curling Club officials unsure if they will be able to reopen their facility for the start of the season.

The club was forced to cease operations last October due to a brine leak along its concrete slabs. The club was originally seeking a $1.7 million interest-free loan from the city for a new ice plant and ice mats.

But last night the club made a presentation to council stating hesitation around their abilities to pay back that loan. The club says the production and installation of the new ice plant and ice mats can take anywhere from seven to nine months.

“There’s still an outside chance that we can get on the ice for this coming season although as summer passes by it’s getting less and less likely,” says says Cal Hauserman, co-chair of the facilities committee with the Medicine Hat Curling Club.

“One of the issues with the provider, we actually need the money upfront. We have to make a 35 to 40 per cent down payment on the plant and ice mats before they start production of it,” adds Hauserman.

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The club says if they are able to get up and running by December they will still be able to offer members a shortened season.

The club is now exploring other options to secure funding. One option includes the sale of the curling club building to the city. Currently, the city owns the land the facility is located on but the club owns the building itself.

“They could buy it because the building has value and that might be one way to generate some income,” says Hauserman.

The club has also applied for an $870,000 grant from the provincial Community Facility Enhancement Program. But club officials say time is running out for next season.

Council passed a motion to direct the city to support the continued operations of the club. Those options will be brought back to a future council meeting.