Campbell River Blind Curling Club Hosts Provincial Championship

The Campbell River Blind Curling Club is set to host the BC Provincial Championship on January 8-9, 2024, at the Campbell River Curling rink. This event marks a significant opportunity for the club, which is looking to leverage its home field advantage. Head coach Bruce Laurie expressed optimism about the upcoming competition, stating, “With only four teams in the province, it is our time to host. With the competition here, we are hoping that playing with home field advantage, it gets us in the top two.”

The tournament will feature four teams: the host Campbell River, alongside competitors from Prince George, Vancouver, and Kelowna. The top two teams will secure their spots in the Western Canada Championship later in the year. In a previous championship, the Campbell River team advanced to the Western Championship, held in Winnipeg, despite finishing third in the BC Championship due to a lack of representation from Saskatchewan.

The championship begins on January 8 at 15:00 local time, with subsequent round robin games scheduled for 22:00 on the same day and 13:00 the following day. Laurie emphasized the camaraderie among the teams, describing the atmosphere as “like getting a big happy family together.”

In preparation for the event, the club is also engaging the local community through a raffle fundraiser, which will take place at the rink next week. Laurie noted the invaluable support from community members, highlighting that Painters Lodge is assisting the team by providing accommodations during the championship.

As the Campbell River Blind Curling Club prepares for this exciting tournament, the club’s commitment to fostering a supportive and competitive environment remains evident. With the eyes of the curling community on them, the players are eager to demonstrate their skills and aim for a top finish.