Ontario’s top male curlers are coming to Huntsville next week

The 2018 Recharge With Milk Ontario Tankard organizing committee (back row from left) Cathy Oakden, John Francis, Sarah Jane Simpson, Margaret Dollar, Diane Spinks, Ron Kreutzer, Susan Bionda, Wayne Watkins, Don Clelland, Dave Rigby, (front from left) Ted Bionda, Richard Tousignant, Eric Spinks, and Beth Goodhew. Missing: Dr. Ian Hastie.

If you want to see some great curling, mark January 31 to February 4 on your calendar.

The Huntsville Curling Club (HCC) is hosting the 2018 Recharge with Milk Ontario Tankard at the Canada Summit Centre, the event that determines which men’s curling team will head to the national Tim Hortons Brier in Regina in March as Team Ontario.

Twelve teams will play the four sheets being constructed at the Don Lough Arena for the Tankard.

“The Recharge with Milk Ontario Tankard is the premier provincial curling event,” said Eric Spinks, co-chair of the 2018 Tankard Organizing Committee with Richard Tousignant, in a recent media release. “The Ontario Curling Association’s top 12 men’s teams will thrill spectators and fans at the Canada Summit Centre! This will be an event not to miss as our many hard-working volunteers will make this the best Tankard in recent history.”

The 15 members of the Huntsville Curling Club’s organizing committee have been working together for a year in preparation for this event. Early estimates placed the number of volunteers they would need at 150, but as the committee learned about the complexity of the Tankard event that number grew to 270. An aggressive recruiting campaign within the club, across Muskoka and beyond got them there, ensuring that the club will create an amazing experience for curlers, fans and the Town of Huntsville.

Various HCC committees have been hard at work selling tickets, planning the facility set-up and maintenance, co-ordinating with Ontario Curling Association ice technicians to ensure the ice is just right, marketing, preparing for security and transportation, and arranging food services.

Fabulous meals will be available at Moosies Lounge in the Active Living Centre. The club is working in partnership with The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation and the Rotary Club of Huntsville to provide lunch and dinner with a portion of proceeds going to both organizations. Local musicians will provide a great line-up of entertainment, with two themed nights: British Invasion on February 2 and Canada Rocks! on February 3. See the full schedule here.

Watch for a Muskoka-themed market with local vendors, a golf silent auction, and a variety of draws throughout the event as well.

Funds raised through ticket sales and the generous support from sponsors for this event will go toward building a new multi-purpose recreation facility for Huntsville and the surrounding area at McCulley Robertson Recreation Park.

Affordable packages are available to enjoy the curling all week long, just for the weekend or for a single day or individual draw. A full event pass is $109, weekend passes are $55 each, day passes start at $18 and individual draw passes start at $11. A special price of $5.00 per individual draw is available for HCC Little Rocks and Junior curlers and students under 18. Tickets are available online at 2018tankard.ca or at Huntsville Place Mall and Bullock’s Independent this Friday and Saturday afternoon (January 26 and 27).

“The strong host committee and dedicated volunteers will derive an economic benefit in excess of one million dollars to the community from the five-day Championship,” said Steve Chenier, Executive Director of the Ontario Curling Association, in a media release. “We look forward to seeing everyone at the Canada Summit Centre this January and February.”

For a complete event schedule, to purchase tickets, or for information on volunteering or the event, visit 2018tankard.ca for or call 705-789-4571.

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