The Portage Curling Club is close to bringing one of Canada's favourite sports to the community for another winter season.
Office manager Rae Trimble-Olson says they're holding an open house on October 19 and 20, to reacquaint members with the facilities.
"This way our regular members can come out, pay their fees, clean up their lockers, check out the pro shop, and get their ducks in a row for the season," explains Trimble-Olson. "And then anybody that doesn't curl with us, is interested in curling, or hasn't got a hot clue about curling, can come and see, maybe there's something they can do this winter, because we have a lot of leagues."
She adds that they'll be holding adult learn-to-curl options as well, emphasizing that the club is for all ages and all skill levels.
The ice for the rinks is starting to be put in now, while tentatively setting October 21 as the day to get the paint on it. She believes, all together, that they're just a few weeks away from games being played.
Club President Rob Gemmell says it will be a big year for Manitoba Curling, as it's the 100th year of the Manitoba Men's Provincials.
"They are looking at bringing in some of the past winners, trying to get as many as they can to come to the event," notes Gemmell. "That'll be interesting for all those people to see some of the older curlers who they haven't seen in years."
The 2025 Viterra Championship will take place from February 4-9. The winners will be representing Manitoba at the Montana Brier, the Canadian Men’s Championship, February 28-March 9, 2025 in Kelowna, BC.