Salmon Valley Curling Club Facing Closure

Wednesday, September 05, 2007 03:50 AM

Valley residents and Prince George curlers will soon be deciding the fate of the Salmon Valley Curling Club Society. Memberships at curling clubs across Canada have seen a continual downward spiral despite the success of Canadian teams at the international level. The Salmon Valley club is suffering from the same pattern of decline in membership and community support.

“When the club was built just over 20 years ago, we had leagues using the ice six nights a week,” said long time member, Leanne Chevalier. “Today, only a handful of members are from Salmon Valley and Bear Lake; most curlers are commuting from Prince George. Those of us, who do make the drive, do so because of the low cost of membership and the relaxed atmosphere.”

A meeting will be held at the Salmon Valley Curling Club on September 11, 2007 at 7:30. At that time, elections will be held for the Executive Board positions and the membership drive will be initiated for the 2007/08 season. However, if the Executive positions are not filled or there are not enough teams to run the mixed league on Friday nights and the mens’ league on Sunday nights, the club may need to close its doors.

The Salmon Valley facility received generous support from the provincial government in 2005 by way of funding for a new ice plant. In 2007, the club received additional money from the Regional District of Fraser Fort George and the Olympic Live Site funding to recondition the rocks and purchase ice making equipment. The club will also purchase televisions and satellite receivers so that community members can gather at the club to watch the Olympics and other curling or sporting events.

“Although funding is important for capital improvements, we cannot use funding for operational costs. In order to keep this non-profit club open and offer affordable rates for curlers, we depend on membership,” explains Sharlene Lively, President of the Salmon Valley Curling Club. “It is difficult to entice new curlers to drive from Prince George to Salmon Valley. Our membership stands a much better chance by attracting new curlers from those areas north of Prince George.”