Team Skrlik took the win at the 2025 Alberta Women's Curling Championship final in Rimbey, presented by Sentinel Storage, which took place Jan. 26 at the Peter Lougheed Community Centre.
It came down to the last shot as Kayla Skrlik's rink played against Nicky Kaufman in a very close 6-5 game, taking the lead and advancing on to the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts next month.
The event saw 12 teams compete throughout the week, with some of the plenty of tight games.
"Absolutely fantastic curling going on here in Rimbey this weekend. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to watch these amazing women play their hearts out. They bring their heart and soul to this event and they leave everything out on the ice," said Patrick Rurka, president of the Rimbey Curling Club and co-chair of the Alberta Women's Curling Championship with Lisa Shukin.
Rurka said they surpassed their ticket sales by four times, with the crowd attendance being strong throughout. The final day on Jan. 26 saw a sold out show.
Rurka said he is grateful to the volunteers who helped make the event a success.
"I can't say enough about my volunteer coordinators. Lisa and I could not have pulled this off without the dedicated help of the fantastic individuals that have made this such a success. It's just been absolutely one of the best things that I've had the pleasure of being a part of in this community."
Rurka said throughout the week, they've currently raised over $2,380, not including the bottles that will be deposited, towards the Sandra Schmirler Foundation. The money was raised through donations from the community, along with gratuities donated from the Court Jesters Dueling Pianos performance. The Sturmay team, last year's Alberta champions, went through the stands with volunteers for the donations.
"We are so blessed that the Foundation has agreed to make a donation to the Rimbey Hospital to help us purchase the portable ultrasound machine that we're working on getting this spring," he said, adding that this will improve care for expecting mothers and new babies in a way that a small rural hospital can help.
Entertainment also put forth a strong attendance, with The Good, The Band and The Ugly performing Jan. 24 and Court Jesters Dueling Pianos playing on Jan. 25 to a show that went well past 1:00 a.m., giving the teams and spectators a chance to dance.
Team Skrlik will head to the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Thunder Bay, Ont. Feb. 14-23.
