Local Scotties seeking volunteers, billets and sponsorships
Manitoba Scotties women’s provincial curling championships coming to Killarney’s Shamrock Centre January 10-14
BY KIM LANGEN
Organizers of this winter’s Scotties in Killarney have been thrilled with the recent volunteer response.
“We have had 75 volunteers sign up already,” said Donna Dowsett, co-chair of the Manitoba women’s curling championship, the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, which takes place on January 10-14, 2018, at the Shamrock Centre.
“We were very pleased. It was very encouraging.”
But this is just the beginning of the team’s preparation for the big event.
“We think we need 200 more volunteers,” added Dowsett. “We need more help with taking tickets at the door, security, selling 50:50 tickets, and we need bar workers.”
Organizers are also seeking financial support for the event, in the form of both cash donations, and with sponsorship packages.
“Craig McKinstry is heading up our sponsorship drive, and we have several levels of sponsorship available – including Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Friends of the Scotties,” said Dowsett.
Many beds and billets will also be needed to house all the competitors, coaches, and spectators, she said.
“Accommodation is short in town, and we are looking for people to volunteer with additional places to stay,” said Dowsett. “We have 16 teams coming, and some of them have a fifth player. Most of the teams have a coach as well. In addition to this, several Curl Manitoba officials will be here for the duration of the event, plus we are expecting curling fans. The community was so warm last time, when we held the Scotties in 2010, and we hope to see the same again this year.”
This year the Manitoba Scotties will include the rinks of curling greats Jennifer Jones (of Winnipeg), Michelle Englot (Saskatchwan), and Barb Spencer, of Winnipeg, who also has connections to Killarney.
“This is a class event, because the province of Manitoba has always done well on the world stage,” said Dowsett. “We will be seeing all three of these rinks, including Jennifer Jones, unless one of them wins an Olympic spot in Ottawa this winter.”
Television coverage for the Scotties in Killarney is being handled by Sportsnet, part of Rogers Sportsnet Inc., who will nationally televise the curling finals, said Dowsett.
Other media will be sending out reporters during the week, she added.
“Players will be arriving on January 9,” said Dowsett. “This is a great opportunity to showcase our town, and display our rural hospitality.”
To become involved – and have the opportunity to wear a special logoed Killarney 2018 Scotties Tournament of Hearts article of clothing – contact one of the volunteer coordinators listed in the Scotties ad on page 1B to find out where you might fit into this incredible event.
Volunteer positions also include helping with hospitality, medical, ticket sales, parking, security, timing, ceremonies, or even pitching in at The Watering Hole to serve up the bevies.
You can put your name down to volunteer over at Gwen’s Trends in the Killarney Place mall. Or you can attend one of the two volunteer sign-up evenings, scheduled at the Shamrock Centre’s Elks Lounge, on Wednesday, October 4, and Wednesday, October 18, at 7 p.m.
For more information about the sponsorships, you can contact Craig McKinstry at home at 204-523-4514, or by cell at 204-534-0568.
TOURNAMENT OF HEARTS GARMENTS A GREAT FIT – Trying on one of the Manitoba Scotties’ volunteer jackets for size at Gwen’s Trends earlier this week is Scotties Tournament of Hearts’ volunteer coordinator Meghan Cuvelier-Klassen. Gwen Tripp has been busy fitting up some 75 of the jackets, golf shirts, and long-sleeved shirts for the volunteers, she said, with jackets proving to be the popular draw. Two more sizing nights for volunteers are planned for October 4 and October 18, at 7 p.m., at the Elks Lounge in the Shamrock Centre. Or you can sign up as a volunteer right at Gwen’s Trends during business hours, and get your Scotties’ garment perfectly outfitted at the same time.