KAMSACK — Members of the Kamsack Curling Club are preparing for their 2025-26 season, where the open league, which will be using the Broda Sportsplex ice on Thursdays, begins Nov. 6.
Nov. 2 is the entry deadline for the open league, which is comprised of players of any combination of male and female participants, as opposed to a mixed league, which is made up of two male and two female curlers, explained Jordan ven der Buhs. The cost is $135 per person.
Among dates already identified for the season are: the high school Invitational competition, which is the Kamsack Christmas Curling Classic cash bonspiel on Dec. 6; the two-person Archerwill Skins Bonspiel on Feb. 21, and the wind-up bonspiel on March 19 to 22.
Ven der Buhs is the club’s social co-ordinator this year. He is in charge of social media, helping to organize bonspiels and the rink community. On the executive committee with him are: Jen Koroluk, president; Claire Bishop, secretary; Carol McNiel, treasurer; and Zac Fedorak, fundraising chair.
Because curlers are still registering, it is hoped there will be two draws for the league this year, ven der Buhs said. “It's been a few years since we had enough teams for that.”
Last year, the club had nine teams, which was enough for one draw, but it is hoped more teams will be participating this year, he said. Getting 17 teams would be the best, like it used to be eight or nine years ago.
“We have some fun things planned to make the league more interesting this year,” he said. “We're hoping some new players will join and former players who have left will come back.
“We promise nothing but a good time.”
There's also the stick league that plays Wednesday afternoons.
One way the rink helped youth in the community last year was by sponsoring the purchase of curling jackets for students of the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute, reducing the amount students had to pay.
In March, the club held its wind-up bonspiel that was “an unbelievable success,” ven der Buhs said.
The bonspiel was an open format, like the league, so anyone could play and the ven der Buhs rink won it.
“This year we actually plan to have a couple more.”
The club is also fundraising for rink improvements with a focus on house rings and other ice conditions, he said. “We've started Phase 2 of our fundraising after starting last spring with our year-end tournament.
“We've reached out to a variety of local businesses and have some on board already, but are open to any interested businesses,” he said, asking them to contact the club at kamsackcurlingclub@gmail.com.
The club is reaching out to share sponsorship information and invites potential sponsors to be “part of a meaningful community project.
“Our volunteer team has been hard at work preparing this initiative, and we’re aiming to implement it for the 2026–27 curling season,” he said. “We’re excited to connect with partners who value supporting local sports and community spaces.”
The club is fundraising in order to upgrade the ice surface to improve both playing quality and long-term sustainability of the club.
Specifically, funds are being sought for: new house rings for professional quality and consistent installation; white ice underlays for better appearance, easier maintenance and faster ice install, and supporting yearly club events, including school curling and bonspiels.
“These upgrades will make a huge difference for our local leagues, youth programs and bonspiels that bring people into Kamsack”
Businesses are being invited to partner with the club through in-ice logo sponsorships in which a business’s logo will be installed directly under the ice surface for the season, giving the business high visibility and long-term local exposure while supporting a community facility.
This season, the club’s primary goal is to replace the worn fabric rings on the curling sheets, he said. After years of use, the rings have stretched and shifted, causing misalignment and inconsistent house sizes. This not only affects the quality of play but also limits the club’s ability to host clinics, youth programs, and events with confidence in the ice setup.
“By upgrading to new rings, we can provide a better curling experience for all members, visiting teams, and community groups who use our facility throughout the season,” he said. The club truly values the support of local businesses and would appreciate any level of sponsorship a business may be interested in.
“Together, we can continue to grow a strong, active curling community.”
