Dear editor:
We are writing this letter in support of the curling rink as part of the new aquatics facility.
We have been regular curlers in Cochrane since 2003 and when we began curling, the curling rink was already an old, dumpy building. There have never been reliable food services and it is vacant over the summer months when the ice is taken out. Over the last 11 years, it has continued to deteriorate to the point where last year, buckets had to be placed on the ice surface during games to catch the water dripping from the leaking roof. The current rink is in such disrepair it will constantly drain budgets just to keep it open, but not improve the comfort level for players, or attract new players.
As a family with two young children who will be starting the junior curling program in Cochrane this year, we see the need for a new curling facility. The junior ice will be great for young players, and the fact that the facility will be available for other uses in the off-season is an excellent idea.
Having the multi-use facility, including curling ice, as part of the Spray Lake Sawmills (SLS) Family Sports Centre will generate more interest in the sport of curling. More Cochranites and visitors to the facility will have a chance to view the sport and learn more about it. If you have spent any time at the SLS Centre, you are aware of the number of kids and parents milling around during practice and in-between games. Many of these visitors may have never had an opportunity to see a curling game, or take part in the “fun nights” the curling club offers.
The current rink is not equipped to accommodate bonspiels. Bonspiels are a major revenue opportunity for the town. New facilities like Banff’s beautiful new curling rink have attracted all-star tournaments with the biggest names in Canada participating, generating much business and tourism for the Town of Banff. Last year we purchased tickets and attended such an event, which was televised across the country. At the event we saw many fellow Cochranite’s there, proving there is an interest in such events in our town. Some people rented accommodation for the weekend, and others ate at the many great restaurants within the town.
With Canada’s successes at the recent Olympics, curling is a growing sport. If the sport is going to continue to grow in Cochrane, if we want to do the most cost-effective fix to the current building woes, if we are going to interest young people to the sport, if we are going to attract revenue generating bonspiels to Cochrane, we are desperately in need of a new curling facility.
I’ll leave you with a question: Why can communities such as Canmore and Banff have beautiful multi-use facilities and a gorgeous curling rink that we travel to because the ones in Cochrane are not up to standard, yet Cochrane, with a larger tax base does not provide such facilities to its own residents? If we are to continue to attract new residents to this great community, we need to provide facilities that keep residents in their communities for recreational activities, not travelling to nearby and smaller towns.
Jennifer and Andrew Janzen
