Weekly Community & Club Development Update

Last week, curling clubs across the province joined in celebrating “Thank an Ice Technician” Week. Thank you for recognizing the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep your ice in top condition all season long.

Here’s to a fantastic winter season filled with great curling and even stronger community connections.

CURLING ALBERTA IN THE COMMUNITY – 2026 Highlights
Growing the Game. Engaging New Curlers. Supporting Clubs.
Curling Alberta is proud to lead and support a series of high‑profile community activations in 2026, creating new entry points into the sport and connecting thousands of Albertans with curling—many for the very first time. These initiatives are designed to support curling clubs by building awareness, driving Try Curling participation, and promoting pathways into club programs and leagues.

CURLING DAY IN CANADA – January 31, 2026
Curling clubs across Alberta play a key role in bringing Curling Day in Canada to life.
  • Add your club event to the national map: Home – Curling Day In Canada
  • Join the Great Canadian Shootout
  • Share your club events and celebrations on social media
    • Tag @curlingalberta so we can help amplify your reach
    • Use #curlingdayincanada
    • Use #growthegame2026
Together, we can showcase curling’s impact in communities across the province
GROW THE GAME 2026 – Community Activations (#growthegame2026)
Winter Warm‑Up at CF Chinook Centre (Calgary)
Express Rink Activation | February 6–22, 2026
Curling Alberta’s Express Rink will once again take curling directly to the public during one of Calgary’s busiest winter periods.
  • Located at CF Chinook Centre
  • Operating Thursdays–Sundays, February 6–22
  • Engaging hundreds of new participants through hands‑on curling experiences
Clubs and volunteers can help grow the game by:
  • Volunteering onsite
  • Sharing their passion for curling with new audiences
  • Promoting local club programs and “Try Curling” opportunities
Volunteer Incentives:
  • Volunteers will be entered to win great prizes, including:
    • Tickets to the 2026 BKT World Women’s Curling Championship
    • A chance for your club to win a “Try Curling” experience with an Olympic curler
Volunteer sign‑up: 2026 Mall Engagement
Fan Fest Celebrations – February 2026
WinSport Fan Fest – February 14 & 15, 2026
In partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), this large‑scale activation will expose thousands of spectators to winter sports—including curling—through:
  • Competition viewing
  • Team Canada athlete appearances
  • Sport demonstrations and participation opportunities
  • Interactive partner activations
📍 Expected attendance: over 5,000 people
Winter Festival – Calgary Olympic Oval
Express Rink Activation | February 16, 2026 (12:00–5:00 p.m.)
Curling Alberta’s Express Rink will once again be at the heart of this community festival, introducing new participants to curling in an accessible, fun, and engaging environment—helping spark interest that can lead directly into club‑based “Try Curling” opportunities.
Try Curling Activations – Club Partnerships
Curling Alberta will work directly with interested clubs to deliver:
  • One‑hour “Try Curling” sessions at club facilities
  • Support for promotion and participant awareness
  • Clear pathways for participants to register for club programs, leagues, and events

These activations are designed to convert community interest into club membership, helping clubs grow sustainably during a landmark year for curling.

 

 BKT World Women’s Curling Championship
March 14–22, 2026 | Calgary
As one of the premier curling events in the world, this championship will create unprecedented attention and excitement for the sport. Curling Alberta’s community activations and club partnerships are aligned to capitalize on this momentum and turn global excitement into local participation.
COMMUNITY ACTIVATIONS – Clubs at the Heart of the Game
Over the holiday break, the Ardrossan Curling Club welcomed Curling Alberta’s Express Rink to the Ben Tournament of Hearts Bonspiel, creating a unique community activation in support of the Ben Stelter Foundation.
If your club is interested in hosting the Express Rink for a community event or activation, please connect with Rebecca—we would love to support your local efforts:  [email protected]

COURSES , CAMPS & CLINICS
 
Assistant Ice Technician Courses
  • Glencoe CC – February 15, 2026 (8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) – Only 3 spots remaining!
  • Sherwood Park CC – March 1, 2026 (8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)
    🔗 REGISTER: Course Schedule | Curling Alberta
Head Ice Technician Courses
  • Stay tuned for upcoming course information
Competition Coach Course
  • Complete the online modules at your own pace
  • Attend the one-day in‑person session: March 7, 2026 | Okotoks Curling Club
    🔗 REGISTER: Course Schedule | Curling Alberta
High Performance & Development

Girls Rock Clinics:

    • Okotoks CC – Jan 10

    • Sylvan Lake CC – Jan 11

    • Onoway CC – Jan 30

    • Hinton CC – TBC

    • Provost CC – TBC

    • Calgary‑area club – March 14 or 15 (TBC)


YOUTH CURLING INITIATIVES:
 
U15 ROCKFEST – Clubs Supporting Youth Development
The RockFest West Qualifiers wrapped up in Grimshaw this past weekend, with over 75 athletes competing across events hosted in Leduc, Olds, and GrimshawCongratulations to the 48 athletes who qualified for RockFest West in Calgary!
Clubs and coaches can continue submitting athlete scores through the Skills Curling App until February 6—thank you to all hosting clubs and volunteers supporting this key youth development initiative.
 
HIT-DRAW-TAP  – Growing Youth Participation
A big thank you to the 20 member clubs hosting Hit‑Draw‑Tap youth competitions, helping introduce young curlers to skill development in a fun and supportive environment:
Airdrie CC, North Hill CC, Cochrane CC, Oilsands CC, Fairview CC, Bassano CC, Sylvan Lake CC, Strathmore CC, Arcadia Rec Centre, Calgary Winter Club, Beaverlodge CC, Jasper CC, Slave Lake CC, Coaldale CC, Peace River CC, Provost CC, Huntington Hills CC, Calgary CC, Dawson Creek CC, Red Deer Curling Centre.
 
TRIPLES CURLING – Innovative Formats in Action
  • Sylvan Lake Curling Club is hosting a Triples Bonspiel on February 1, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
  • Open to youth participants registering as individuals or teams
  • Includes a three‑game minimum, prizes, and a pizza lunch
Thank you to clubs exploring creative formats that expand participation and keep the game fun and accessible.

CURLING CLUB SUPPORT – Grant Spotlight
  • Taber Curling Club & Arena are applying for the $250,000 Kraft Hockeyville Grant
  • Other Alberta Community Arenas are also in the hunt for this grant.
  • Show your support by submitting a Rally Note here:

Promote Your Club’s Programs & Events
Free promotional tools available on our website:

Celebrate 8‑Enders!
Recognize exceptional moments on the ice:

Member Perks

Celebrating Club Milestones
  • North Hill CC – 100th Anniversary
  • Westlock CC – 100th Anniversary
  • Whitecourt CC – 75th Anniversary
  • Red Deer CC – 125+ years
  • Jasper CC – 100+ years
Celebrating a milestone? Email [email protected] so we can help share your story.

Together, Curling Alberta and clubs across the province are creating meaningful opportunities for new curlers to discover the sport, experience the community, and take their first steps into lifelong participation.

Atina Ford Johnston
Director, Curling Club Development
📱 587‑999‑0148
[email protected]
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