Shaking off the rust from a little winter break is always a good practice when it comes to curling, and that is why the Strathmore Curling Club held their Shorty Bonspiel last weekend.  Cash prizes and bragging rights were on the line but everyone who competed had a great time and meal because of the great new chef in the kitchen.  Jeff Warne, an Ice Technician at the curling club talked about the improvements that occurred over the holiday, "We just did a new flood over Christmas, we do it twice a year once at the beginning of the year, and then the middle of the year. The other ice techs come in, we flood the whole thing so it is all-new ice for them to start up again. Changes the curlers and stuff, they have to get used to the ice, but it is all good to go. Then we had our mini bonspiel last weekend, and it went pretty well."

The town has been discussing the possibility of adding additional seating to the viewing area and even creating a sheltered walkway connecting all three recreational facilities in the area, but currently, the majority of the people who run the curling clubs are all volunteers.  Warne talks about the level of interest for the sport, "The participation goes up and down we are pretty good, were lucky here we have some good ice here. Some great teams coming in so are the regulars coming back. We are getting a few from Calgary and out of town. Numbers are down maybe a little bit but the numbers are there, it is busy."

Competing in three levels of the tournament the class A winner could take home a cash prize of $200 for the top prize.  Even the winner from pool B could win $180 if they lose a game in the class A pool.  Warne says having well-maintained ice surface is key to drawing new players, "I guess it is worth it to have good ice, it brings the people out. The teams that are regulars from the club I know the ones from here, they have some good teams, so they end up winning events. They change around, it's a good fun shorty spiel. The other big spiels should be coming through the year and it should be good."

Team Mueller won the A event and Bad Apples won the B event and Team Musselman. The next event will be the Mixed Bonspiel on January 22 to 26, 2020.