Newfoundland takes part in SPORTFEST!

Team Newfoundland and Lab. took part in a provincial sportfest which, along with many other sports, show cased some para sports - one of which was wheelchair curling. 

A few photos thanks to Skip Joanne MacDonald recent Team Canada squad member.  

ST. JOHN’S – Sportfest is back! Sport Newfoundland and Labrador’s three-day, interactive festival runs from May 10 to 12, and features provincial sport organizations showcasing sports that are currently available throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Approximately 5,000 children from 29 schools across the Avalon Peninsula will have the opportunity to try both team and individual sports over the next few days.

“Sportfest has grown a lot from last year, with an increase in registered provincial sport organizations and participating children,” said Doug Fowler, President of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador. “We had to move the event to the Techniplex, which is a larger venue, in order to accommodate the volume of kids and participating provincial sport organizations.”

The interactive event offers seven different sport zones featuring a variety of activities and information from provincial sports organizations. This year will also mark the addition of Parasport, the first time it has been a part of Sportfest. Parasports are sports that have been adapted for persons with disabilities, but participation is open to athletes of all ability levels.

“Sportfest gives our youth the chance to learn about the benefit of sport, physical activity and healthy living,” said Fowler. “With childhood obesity on the rise in our province, organized sports are a great way to get kids active, and at Sportfest, they can learn about sports that interest them, or discover a sport they may not have thought to try before.”

Schools have registered to participate in Sportsfest on May 10 and 11. The event is open to the general public on Saturday, May 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with $3 admission for adults. There will be interactive demos, special guests and even prizes.

Sport Newfoundland and Labrador represents over 55 provincial sport organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador by providing programs and services in the promotion of sport and physical activity. Visit www.sportnl.ca for information on programs offered by Sport Newfoundland and Labrador and www.sportfestnl.ca for information about Sportfest.

Work starts on Blaine's curling center

After several years of discussions, curling enthusiasts scored an eight-ender as Blaine city officials and the owners of Fogerty Arena broke ground on what will be only the second year-round curling center in the nation.

The $3.7 million center will be run by the privately owned arena, but it is located on public land. That meant the Blaine City Council had to approve a permit and extend the arena's lease on the property in Aquatore Park for another 30 years.
No public money will go toward construction of the 28,000-square-foot center, officials said. However, the city may have to invest up to $300,000 to move one of the park's baseball diamonds, which will make room for construction adjacent to the existing arena. Plans are for the arena to contribute to that cost. Fogerty officials are negotiating with two groups on naming rights.
Blaine already has a high sports profile as home to the multi-use National Sports Center and the Tournament Players Club golf course, and city officials say the curling operation will enhance that image.

"It fits in nicely," said Public Service Director Bob Therres. "The council members were excited. It was a new activity, and it was something that, as it was pitched to them, was something for the whole family, from youth to the elderly. ... It's a growing sport, and we're going to bring people to Blaine."
The arena plans to kick off a membership campaign in the next couple of weeks, said Fogerty General Manager Mark Clasen. The organization expects to draw about 400 members in its first year, and reach its 800 membership capacity in about four years, he said. Dozens of people already have had their names entered into a database for memberships.

In addition, the club has received a letter of intent from the U.S. Curling Association, which plans to use the six-lane center for elite training.

Plans also include handicap-accessible lanes to attract curlers training for the Paralympic Games, which has adopted wheelchair curling as a medal sport.

Clasen said the arena hopes to reach out locally to high school and college teams, to corporate organizations looking for team-building events and to individuals hoping to try something new.

Outlets elsewhere

Minnesota curlers do have outlets in the state. Although the other year-round club is in Green Bay, Wis., there are seasonal curling clubs in Cambridge, Duluth, Alexandria and elsewhere. The venerable -- and over-capacity -- St. Paul Curling Club has given its blessing and support to the new club, Clasen said; already, there are discussions about interclub competition.

"They've really helped us along and they're really behind this project," Clasen said.

The new facility will have an indoor/outdoor lounge with bar and restaurant service and views of the curling sheet. Clasen said that although he can't yet reveal the proposed lounge operator, it's likely to be "a well-known local establishment."

The curling center also will benefit the arena's skaters and hockey players, he said.
One of the reasons arena operators are building it now -- in addition to low interest rates and construction prices -- is that the 30-year-old refrigeration system and floor of the old south rink are nearing the end of their operational life, Clasen said.

Arena officials expect that the new liquid-ammonia refrigeration system will cool both the curling sheet and the south rink at no additional cost, he said. Both skating rinks will continue to operate as usual; the south rink floor will be replaced next year.
Maria Elena Baca • 612-673-4409

Edmonton rocks wheelchair curling spaghetti dinner and dance fundraiser

Edmonton rocks wheelchair curling spaghetti dinner and dance fundraiser

 

Event Details

Saturday 2nd June 2012 6:30PM                            

At the Jasper Place Curling Club
16521 107 Ave NW

Come dance and have fun and support our wheelchair curling team. Silent auction, door prizes,and a good time to be had by all. Cash bar live band and the best spaghetti dinner you'll ever have. hope to see you all there