Sask. community races to save curling rink

Curling rinks are about as common in Saskatchewan as railway tracks and farmer’s fields.

But this year, the community of Medstead may not be able to get its local rink ready for the winter season.

The community of approximately 500 people north of North Battleford is at risk of not having a curling season this winter unless it can generate enough money from Winfield United’s “Raise the Barn” contest.

READ MORE:

• Lang’s hockey cathedral draws attention from around the world
• Members reflect on memories at Granite Curling Club

In 2022, the local curling rink’s ice plant failed and was in need of a replacement. Initially, the community attempted to fix their existing ice plant, but was quoted a repair cost of $60,000, while a new ice plant would cost $40,000.

Medstead’s rink, which features surfaces for both hockey and curling, was built in 1970. (Submitted/Jacqueline Drieschner)

Due to the dissolution of another local rink, the community was able to buy an ice plant for only $2,000, but even with a fairly new ice plant, the rink was still facing problems.

To get the rink back up and running, it requires a new piping system and tearing up and replacing the rink’s walkways, which would cost a total of $18,000.

Medstead’s rink was built in 1970, with both hockey and curling surfaces. At that time, it was one of the largest of its kind in the province.

The community of Medstead may not be able to get its local rink ready for the season. (Submitted/Jacqueline Drieschner)

Volunteer Jacqueline Drieschner said the rink is very important to herself and to her community.

“I think that being in a small town, your rink is really the heart of your community – it’s where everyone goes to meet,” she said.

“I have a 20-month-old; she’s going to start skating there this fall, and yeah, it’s the rink where I first went to throw my own first curling stone. I get to curl with my mom, my sister, and my grandma regularly at this rink, and if we can get the ice plant up and going I’m hoping that my daughter is going to be the fourth generation to curl in this rink as well.”

In an effort to raise enough money for rink repairs, the community is taking part in Winfield United’s “Raise the Barn” contest.

The competition pits different community projects against each other for a grand prize of $20,000.

Drieschner said that the contest’s grand prize would cover the costs needed to repair the rink in Medstead, but they have some competition.

“Winfield contacted us and told us that we were Saskatchewan’s regional finalists. With that, they already gave us $8000, and that’s huge in and of itself, but now we have a chance to win an additional $20,000, which would cover all of the costs that we need to replace the curling rink, and that’s through public voting,” explained Drieschner.

“There are regional finalists in Alberta, us in Saskatchewan, one in Manitoba and one in Ontario. We are the only arena project in the competition, and the only Saskatchewan finalist.”

Votes can be submitted online each day between Monday and Wednesday.