By Evelyn Pilatzke
Curling is a great sport for seniors to keep active and enjoy during the winter months and has been adapted for all levels of a person’s mobility. With the invention of stick curling and no slide sweeping anyone with knee or back issues that had difficulty getting down in to the hack to throw their rock has the alternative of using the stick delivery system. Now seniors can continue enjoying playing this great sport. The Barriere Curling Club has many members that use the stick delivery method and in the past a member curled from a wheelchair, and the curling rink is equipped with ramps for wheelchair access to the rink.
Curling is also a team sport that was easily adapted to comply with the COVID-19 rules and restrictions. People can social distance and still participate in a team sport. Curl BC has put in place provincial guidelines to help ensure everyone’s safety and still enable curling to take place; and helping to keep seniors connected to their community, active and able to enjoy the wonderful sport of curling. The Barriere Recreational Society say they are happy to teach any interested parties how to curl and has sanitized equipment available.
Have a few hours to fill? Looking for an organization to volunteer with? The Barriere Recreation Society also offers volunteering opportunities for seniors. As a non-profit society, volunteers are needed to operate and maintain the building and help with fundraising. Even with COVID-19 restrictions the society has been able to safely host a flea market and two bingos, all with social distancing and COVID-19 safety protocols in place. Volunteering as little as a few hours enables this great facility to remain open and helps area seniors get to know other members of the Barriere community.
In Barriere, Open Curling takes place every Wednesday at 1 p.m., Mixed Curling is at 7 p.m. every Friday, and a Commercial League will be starting in January. Interested parties can contact Susan Bondar at 250-672-5334.
If you wish to curl in Clearwater at the North Thompson Sportsplex please contact Mitch Miller and the Wells Gray Curling Club at 250-674-1975.