Are you game to try the RA Centre’s curling club?

Margaret McLeod

Did you know that the RA Curling Club is the home club of the RA’s Curling Centre of Excellence?

The Centre of Excellence gives the club’s members the opportunity to play on ice that was installed to the exacting standards set by Curl ON for high performance players tournaments. Combined with the club’s new rocks, the conditions are perfect for exciting games.

To add to the on-ice experience, the RA Centre is transforming the old hockey changing rooms into a welcoming space for everyone, with lockers, changing areas, washrooms, and showers that meet the new guidelines of the Ontario Accessibility Act. The facilities both on and off ice can now be enjoyed by individuals who have physical mobility challenges.

The club, which has been active since 1957, is very proud to offer leagues for all ages and skill levels as well as a variety of curling programs.  More specifically, it offers day and evening leagues, fixed and draw curling, and four person as well as doubles leagues.  It also offers a 10-week Learn to Curl class, which occurs in both the daytime and the evening, a Development League for those seeking assistance in refining their technique and strategy, and a Youth program that occurs on weekends. Moreover, in the past year, the club developed a stick curling league to enormous success.

Members range from novice, to recreational, to competitive. The season is beginning on Tuesday, October 10.

If you are new to the area or to curling, the club’s volunteer convenors and committee members will help you find a team on which to play.

If you have little to no curling experience, that is not a problem, as the RA Curling Club offers programs for all skill levels and likewise supplies support to new as well as experienced or advanced curlers. New to the sport? The “Learn to Curl” programs will get you playing. Want to give curling a quick try? Drop into one of the short “Try Curling” sessions, coming early in the fall.

There are many benefits for members of the RA Curling Club.  It provides, for example, a great social atmosphere, competitive fees, instruction for new members, great ice, and friendly competition. Furthermore, it is a terrific way to keep active, whether you are 8 or 88; it also facilitates new lasting friendships.

For more information or to register, contact the RA’s Member Service staff by phone at (613) 733-5100, or come by the Member Services desk, which is found near the east entrance of the RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive. You may also visit the curling page on the RA’s website at www.racentre.com/Curling.