The Pan Continental Curling Championships in Lacombe ended Saturday night, with Rachel Homan and Team Canada beating South Korea for the women's A-Division gold medal.
The event featured 35 men's and women's teams from around the globe competing in the A or B Divisions.
Co-chair Chantelle Bowman said it was an amazing week of curling.
"There's been great competition and it's been amazing to see all the athletes come together off the ice as well. I've heard many stories from the teams of them out exploring Lacombe and enjoying Central Alberta and all that it has to offer."
Organizers were pleased with the crowds that attended.
"We had many games where the stands were really nicely packed and there was lots of support for all the teams, even if they weren't Team Canada," noted Bowman. "Thank you to everybody for coming out and supporting the event and enjoying the event, whether it was with the A-Division or the B-Division, we saw lots of people watching both sides and getting to know some of the teams as they were walking in the crowds."
Bowman said the event wouldn't have been possible without the help of the over 250 volunteers.
"Our volunteer force was truly amazing. There were really big days to get this arena up and going in the morning to the end of the day with everyone. We're so grateful for all the volunteers who chipped in all different areas and made this event such a success. Everything we've heard from all the teams involved and so many different individuals is, this is one of the best championships they've been to in a long time and we're so grateful for all the people who made that happen because it takes an army and we're so grateful for the ones who stepped up to help and make sure this event was a true success."
Bowman, who also serves as president of the Lacombe Curling Club, says the Pan Continental Curling Championships showed that it's not just Canada and the U.S. who curl, but it's individuals from around the world.
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She's hoping the event leads to more local residents trying out the sport.
"It's a ton of fun even just to get to know the other people in the sport," she said.
Bowman says it was an amazing experience to work with individuals from World Curling, who helped put on the event.
"It's bittersweet to see the event end because we've made such friendships, whether it's with players or our fellow World Curling members who came to put on the event. It's amazing the friendships you can make."
The event wrapped up with a social on Saturday night.
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