By Bobby Ray, North Bay Granite Club General Manager
Just as you might suspect, activity at the North Bay Granite Club is on the rise as a result of exposure provided through the hosting of two major international curling events, among other initiatives.
Though many would assume membership to be the primary benefactor, and there have been advances, the real boost to business has been realized through ice rentals; whether for corporate functions, team building events, fundraisers, or casual outings with friends and family.
The club is set to host a number of events including eight holiday parties, two birthday celebrations, five corporate events, eight bonspiels, five community game nights, and is running a new teachers’ league the second Friday of the month; to name a few.
People are likewise booking open ice with friends and treating Curling as they might more traditional activities like bowling or billiards. Anyone can view availability online at northbaycurling.com/practice and contact the club to reserve a sheet of ice for $80 + HST /hour/sheet. Fees include brooms and sliders while participants are required to provide clean indoor running shoes, warm and flexible layers of clothing, and head protection. An instructor can also be hired on a sliding scale to a maximum of $80 + HST / hour.
This past weekend, for example, a team of girls hockey players from Ottawa visited the club to pass time between puck drops and later wrote in to say that “it was the highlight of our weekend” and that “we look forward to planning another lesson next time we are in North Bay for a tournament”.
For those that missed the start of the curling in October, you will be happy to know that the club is now only five weeks away from their next intake period as most leagues and programs run on a 7-week cycle allowing new participants to join throughout the season.
The winter session will be accepting new teams and individuals into daytime leagues (seniors - Mondays at 10 a.m. and Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m., ladies - Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.), evening leagues (ladies - Mondays at 6:15pm, doubles - Mondays at 8:30 p.m., open - Tuesdays nights), adult instructional programs (learn to curl - Sundays at 7 p.m., Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6 p.m.; learn to curl better clinics - Mondays at 8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays at 11 a.m.), and Kids Learn to Curl programs (U9 - Tuesdays at 4 p.m., U18 - Thursdays at 4 p.m.).
Excitement is building for upcoming events such as the annual Assante 101 Classic Senior Open Bonspiel taking place November 22nd – 24th, a one-day ladies’ bonspiel on Saturday, November 30th, and a Northern Ontario Curling Association sanctioned U18 Youth Challenge December 7th and 8th.
A reminder to curlers and those with curling fans in their families that our Pro Shop is now open more regularly than previous seasons and is full of new items including brooms, shoes, apparel, protective headwear, and other equipment. Looking for the perfect gift? You can’t go wrong with a new gripper or replacement broom head, which should be replaced at least once annually. Store hours are Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Bobby Ray
General Manager
North Bay Granite Club
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