Prince Albert crokicurl entering final stages of planning

Jan 17, 2019 | 6:00 PM

Planning for Prince Albert’s first crokicurl rink is entering the tenth end with just days left until becoming operational. 

Plans for the outdoor venue in Memorial Square hit a snag this week after City council said it could not formally sign off on the idea until its next meeting scheduled for Jan. 28. Organizers had hoped to have crokicurl ready to go in time for the start of the Canadian Junior Curling Championship this weekend. The issue was before councillors on Monday at an executive committee meeting, but can not be formally approved until the next meeting of council.

That raised questions about liability should the crokicurl venture go ahead before the 28th. The City’s Community Services Manager, Jody Boulet said the Downtown Business Improvement District is compiling all the materials needed and are just waiting for city council’s final go ahead.

Boulet said the hope is to have the rink ‘player ready’ in time for the Winter Festival. 

“We do anticipate approval on the (Jan.) 28th. At that time, insurance and all the other technicalities will be in place so we can move forward appropriately,” he said. “Starting on the 29th, if the conditions are right, they anticipate to have it constructed that week.”

Even though rocks won’t be thrown in Memorial Square for another few weeks, the excitement is building.

Carolyn Carleton, executive director with the Downtown BID said there has been interest from a number of groups including, the Winter Festival organizing committee, local senior citizens, schools and various youth organizations. Carleton told city councillors earlier this week that the new site will be a bonus in P.A., adding that most people are looking for new experiences.

“I haven’t started taking bookings yet but as soon as we have an installation date, I’ll start,” Carleton said. 

She said the game is very easy to learn. 

“Crokicurl is something where people can just go out on their noon hour, or take their family,” Carleton said.

Carleton wanted to thank the Northern Light Community Development Corporation, The Prince Albert Municipal Cultural Action Plan, Winter Festival Committee and Main Street Events for their help in funding the project.

The crokicurl ice will be set up in Memorial Square and will be there for as long as conditions allow. With plans to move to a new office space, the PADBID group will soon be closer to the action as well. The organization is planning to move a couple blocks north to 23-11th St. W, just down the street from Memorial Square.

 

ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni