Rising costs and declining usage could force RR Curling Club to close

By Ken Johnston
Editor

The future of Rainy River’s Curling Club could be hanging in the balance if solutions to escalating operating costs and declining usage are not found soon.
Club President Ralph Armstrong said Thursday that with the the steadily increasing energy costs to run the facility and declining membership and participation in annual bonspiels, something has to be done.
“Last February our gas bill was $1,395 and hydro for two months was $3,744,” said Armstrong who opened his own gas bill to see a 30% hike this fall. “If we are facing at 30% hike at the club it will be that much tougher.”
At the same time memberships at the club have been in steady decline over the past several years. Last year there were approx. 60 adult memberships ($150) and 40 junior curlers (kids) ($50). On top of that there were only six ladies teams and nine mens teams in league. “It is very difficult to run it (the club) for only fifteen teams.”
Next Thursday the Rainy River Curling Club is holding a general meeting to discuss any options or ideas people might have on how to keep the club open. “It is open to both members and anyone who is interested,” said Armstong. The meeting is at 7:30 p.m. at the Rainy River Curling Club.
When asked if raising the membership fee is an option, Armstrong said, “We have been told by some of the members we already have that if it goes up they don’t know if they can afford to curl. Times are tough and people are tightening their belts.” What is really needed is more curlers from the area including Baudette as well.
“We used to have six teams from there but that is down to one now,” said Armstrong.
The club has also seen the migration of some members to Stratton to curl. “We have asked them why and what we can do to change things here, but can’t get an answer out of them.”
In addition to declining membership, the club’s big money makers of the season, bonspiels, have been steadily going down. From the hey-days of 30+ teams years ago, the Men’s, Boxing Day and Women’s Bonspiels were either cancelled or just barely able to run last year due to a lack of teams.
Armstrong said they are taking steps to reduce energy costs by putting a new energy effecient gas furnace in this month and even the idea of going to natural ice has been talked about, which would reduce energy costs of running an artificial ice plant to nil. But nothing is set in stone. That is why they are having a meeting next Thursday; to discuss ideas on how they can keep the club open.
With so many new people buying homes here recently it is also hoped that some of them will be interested in curling. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting.