By Clark Stork

Carrot River is ready to crokicurl

Feb 7, 2018 | 3:53 PM

The town of Carrot River is the latest centre, and by far the smallest community in the province to combine the popular board game crokinole with the sport of curling.

Originating in Winnipeg last winter, other larger centres such as Regina and Saskatoon constructed rinks for the public to use and try the game out. Carrot River recreation coordinator Miranda Blaber said the community discussed the idea a year ago but this winter the support was there.

“We seem to have a real ‘why not’ mentality, that’s been a common theme since we branded ourselves Saskatchewan’s outback,” Blaber told northeastNOW. “Now we have a town square, a rodeo, we have crokicurl. It’s just another item we could embrace.”

To officially announce the rink was open, members of the Carrot River and Fire Rescue Department and staff from Integra Tire, who volunteered their time and equipment to the construction played a quick game on a cold Wednesday. Mazurek Industries also contributed to the rink by building the posts. Leading up to the rink being ready Blaber said excitement has increased in the town.

“The buzz has been huge; our social media accounts have been lighting up with people positively responding. The comments have been great,” she said.

First meeting

Interest piqued after Melfort Neighbourhood Watch program info meeting

3h ago

Wasted fish

Fish abandoned at Deschambault Lake

Apr 23, 2024

Leadership Needed to Stop Federal Overreach

Apr 23, 2024

The rules are similar to curling. The game is played with two teams of one or two players. Each player throws from a quadrant. There are four rocks per team for each end. The points increase as you throw near the button that counts for 20. A key rule is you must strike a stone from the other team to make your shot count. Blaber says there are small variations and the rules are meant to be bent. More importantly she said they built the rink for the enjoyment of residents and visitors to the town. Blaber said the hope is the rink next to the post office becomes a hub for outdoor activities.

“We would like to put a fire pit there. Hopefully people will start to use it to socialize. Families can come together [and host] birthday parties. We have the outdoor rink close and a sliding hill. It could become part of a really enjoyable warmer winter day,” she said.

Initiatives such as the crokicurl rink and the overall branding as “Saskatchewan’s Outback” was recognized at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association conference in Regina Wednesday. The town received a second-place honour for the work they’ve done branding and marketing the community.

clark.stork@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ClarkStork