Cochrane Curling Club president Kendall Waiting says user groups left last night’s committee-of-the-whole meeting with more questions than answers regarding the proposed takeover of the SLS Centre by YMCA Calgary.
“What was presented did little to quell our questions, provide any clarity, and did nothing but promote more questions and fears,” said Waiting. “The crowd was left very disappointed, with far more questions than answers. I think that was evident in council, which had just as many questions—and no answers—from town administration.”
For curling club officials, the uncertainty leaves the viability of their organization hanging in the balance, particularly due to the potential loss of the On the Rocks Lounge, a key social space for members.
“The impact on our membership and our ability to fundraise will severely affect the club, if not lead to its demise,” said Waiting.
He estimates the club could lose about 25 per cent of its 600 members. If that occurs, there may not be enough teams to effectively use the ice, impacting revenue at the SLS Centre and leaving the curling centre hanging in the wind.
“If that dries up, they’re going to have to find other ways to fill that program,” he said. “Does that mean they’ll turn the curling rink into an ice hockey rink because they know they’ll be able to fill it?”
During the presentation, council was told YMCA Calgary has no intention of retaining the On the Rocks Lounge, except for special occasions.
Waiting says town officials have not adequately considered how the decision would affect the curling club's operations, membership, or the broader community.
“This will also have a severe impact on our bonspiels—we host roughly nine events per year—and on the provincial championships and qualifiers we’ve recently started co-hosting with SLS,” he said.
Beyond fundraising challenges, the potential removal of the lounge would eliminate a crucial social element of the sport.
“It removes a place for social gatherings, for meals or banquets during bonspiels. That will lead to a significant economic impact on the town.”
Waiting says approximately 60 per cent of participants in their bonspiels come from outside Cochrane.
“That affects the hospitality industry, food and beverage providers, hotels, fuel stations—there are broad economic consequences that I don’t think they’ve considered.”
He also questioned whether council understands the revenue the lounge generates beyond curling events. It has become a gathering place for many user groups after evening activities and tournaments, including fans attending Cochrane Generals junior hockey games.
“One of the reasons the Generals moved back to Totem One from the original arena was to reach a broader audience and have better seating,” said Waiting. “The SLS Centre offered that, along with the built-in ability to sell alcohol.”
Waiting continues to call for a public hearing and meetings with stakeholders.
“We believe that’s the right path forward,” he said. “Council has encouraged residents to reach out and share their stories and opinions. Public consultation and user group meetings are essential to understanding the future operating model for all user groups.”
In the meantime, the Cochrane Curling Club has launched a letter-writing campaign to highlight concerns with town and Rocky View County officials regarding the removal of the lounge.
Council is expected to decide whether they'll go ahead with public consultation and what form it will take at its May 26 meeting.