Dear Club Managers, and Club Members,
This Week in Curling
As clubs transition out of the season and begin planning for the year ahead, this week’s update highlights professional development opportunities, upcoming courses, new grant funding, survey opportunities, and a chance to share your club’s success story nationally.
This week’s focus:
-    New Summer Courses – Registrations Open! (Ice Technician & Coaching)
- Â Â Grant opportunities
-   Expressions of interest for hosting – competitions, programs, events & more
- Â Â Sharing post – Olympic growth stories with Curling Canada
-    Club Development Webinar Series – coming soon!
-   2026-2027 ICF Update – no change!
-   Curler Participation Definitions (aligned with Curling Canada) – updated!
Thank you for the continued leadership and momentum you bring to curling in your communities.
  Education & Training Opportunities – Registration Open
Curling Alberta is pleased to share upcoming education offerings for the 2026–27 season. These courses support strong ice operations and coaching capacity within clubs.
Head Ice Technician Course
- Red Deer Curling Centre
June 15–16, 2026
Course Schedule | Curling Alberta
Assistant Ice Technician Course
- Red Deer Curling Centre
July 8, 2026
Course Schedule | Curling Alberta
Competition Coach Course
- Leduc Curling Club
August 12, 2026
Course Schedule | Curling Alberta
Clubs are encouraged to share these opportunities with ice technicians, assistants, and coaches who may be interested in professional development ahead of the next season.
Grant Opportunities for Curling Clubs
Over the month of April, new grant opportunities for curling clubs will be posted on the Member Club News webpage. Clubs are encouraged to check this page regularly as new funding opportunities become available.
  Member Club News | Curling Alberta
These grants are intended to support club development, programming, and growth initiatives.
 Curling Canada Invitation: Share Your Club’s Story
Curling Canada is inviting curling clubs and communities to help showcase how the sport is growing and thriving in the post-Olympic landscape. As club leaders, you play a key role in shaping and sustaining curling in your community. Curling Canada is developing four national feature articles in April (beginning after Easter) that will highlight clubs, programs, and
individuals who are experiencing growth or using creative approaches to engage new and returning curlers.
They are looking to connect with:
- Clubs experiencing membership growth or increased engagement
- Programs that have successfully built momentum following the Olympics
- Creative initiatives focused on recruitment, retention, or community connection
If your club has a story to tell—or if you know of a club or individual who does—Curling Canada would welcome the opportunity to connect.
You are invited to reach out directly to Veronica Bernard, Member Services Coordinator, Curling Canada at: [email protected]
This is a valuable opportunity to highlight the impact your club is having locally while contributing to a national narrative that supports the growth and visibility of curling across Alberta and Canada.
 Expressions of Interest Now Open – Host a Curling Alberta Event
Curling Alberta is now accepting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from clubs interested in
hosting events, competitions, courses, clinics, and programs during the 2026–27 season.
Why Consider Hosting?
Hosting Curling Alberta programming can:
- Increase local revenue and economic impact
- Strengthen community pride and volunteer engagement
- Inspire juniors and attract new members
- Build leadership and hosting capacity within your club
- Showcase your facility to participants from across Alberta
Hosting opportunities range from grassroots programming to major provincial events, with Curling Alberta staff providing planning and operational support.
  Host a Curling Alberta Event – Submit an Expression of Interest
Membership Tracking Fee Spreadsheets – Overdue
Thank you to all clubs who have already submitted their Membership Tracking Fee Spreadsheet — your cooperation is sincerely appreciated.
For clubs that have not yet submitted, please note that these spreadsheets are now overdue.
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This annual data collection is a condition of funding required by the Government of
Alberta for all provincially recognized sport organizations. The information provided is critical to Curling Alberta’s:
- compliance and reporting obligations
- advocacy efforts on behalf of member clubs
- funding sustainability for the sport
□ •  Please email completed spreadsheets to: [email protected] Thank you for your attention to this important requirement.
  Club Development Webinar Series – Coming Soon!
Curling Alberta is currently developing a Club Development Webinar Series designed to support club managers and board members with practical, relevant learning opportunities.
Initial webinar topics in development include:
- Energy Cost Savings for Curling Clubs
- Effective Use of Curling Management Systems
- The Business of Curling: Strategic Planning for Clubs
- Insurance Considerations and Risk Management
These sessions will be offered online and focused on real-world tools and strategies to support strong, sustainable clubs.
We’d love your input! If there are topics, challenges, or areas of interest you would like to see included in future webinars, please share your ideas with us. Your feedback will help shape
offerings that are timely, useful, and responsive to club needs as we move forward.
More details, including dates and registration information, will be shared in upcoming updates.
 National Volunteer Week – April 19–25, 2026
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National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize and thank the volunteers who make our clubs and communities thrive. Clubs are encouraged to acknowledge volunteers in ways that are meaningful to them.
Looking to recruit or promote volunteer opportunities?
Volunteer Connector: Browse Volunteer Opportunities | Volunteer Connector
 Board Development & Non-Profit Learning Opportunities – Spring 2026
Spring is an ideal time for clubs to strengthen board effectiveness, volunteer skills, and long-term planning. The Alberta Community Development Unit is offering a series of free, online webinars relevant to curling club boards, managers, and volunteers.
Highlighted Topics Include:
- Board Roles & Responsibilities
- Role of the Board Treasurer
- Legal & Financial Responsibilities
- Risk Management
- Succession Planning for Non-Profits
- Basic Facilitation Skills (4-part series)
- Demystifying AI for Non-Profit
All sessions are hosted on Zoom and are free to attend.
View the full Spring 2026 schedule and register: Government of Alberta, Community Engagement Branch Events – 23 Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite
Additional Self-Paced Board Resources
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The Alberta Non-Profit Learning Centre also offers excellent tools and courses, including:
- The Nine Principles of Good Governance
- Board governance guides on committees, finances, and grant writing
Explore resources: Non-profit learning centre | Alberta.ca
  Individual Curler Fee Update – 2026–2027 Season
Curling Alberta would like to provide advance notice to clubs regarding the Individual Curler Fee for the 2026–2027 season.
   The fee will remain unchanged at $22 per individual curler.
Beginning in 2026–2027, the Individual Curler Fee will adopt a new name: the Alberta Curling Development Fee (CDF). This terminology aligns with Curling Canada and better reflects the purpose of the fee: to strengthen and sustain the entire system of curling in Alberta and across Canada.
The CDF supports essential services and programming at every level of the sport, including:
- club-level resources, training, and operational supports
- provincial development initiatives, education, programming, and competitions
- national systems, programs, and curler services
Together, these investments help ensure a healthy, connected, and sustainable curling system—one that benefits clubs, curlers, volunteers, and communities.
Please note that the membership year for curling in Canada is July 1 to June 30.
For more information on how this fee supports clubs and the broader curling system, please visit:
  Membership Benefits | Curling Alberta
Curling Canada has established consistent participation definitions to support shared understanding, reporting, and data collection across the country. A brief summary is provided below for reference and also located on this webpage: Membership Benefits | Curling Alberta
Regular Curler
An individual registered with a Member Club or Facility who participates in recognized curling
activities four or more times per membership year (July 1–June 30). Participation may include:
- Regular league participation (standard or rental usage)
- Regular facility use for training or competition
Casual Curler
An individual who participates in programs, services, or resources within the curling system up to three times per membership year. Examples include:
- Bonspiels or competitions (a multi-day event is considered one participation)
- Try Curling or Open House events
- Private rentals
- School or youth group programs
Regular Contributor
An individual affiliated with or registered through a Member Club or Facility who is employed, contracted, or volunteers to support the delivery of recognized curling activities. Contributions may include:
- Governance roles and responsibilities
- Facility operations and building services
- Ice maintenance
- Coaching or instruction four or more times per membership year
Additional guidance and reporting supports related to these definitions will be shared as they become available.
Wishing you all the best as you continue your spring planning. Thank you for the commitment, care, and leadership you bring to curling in Alberta—it truly makes a difference.
Warm regards,
Atina Ford Johnston
Director, Curling Club Development