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Bentley curling club ends season with increased growth and revenue

The Bentley curling club saw growth and more revenue this past season due in large part to many Sylvan Lake curlers.

The Bentley curling club saw growth and more revenue this past season due in large part to many Sylvan Lake curlers choosing to play in Bentley while their new rink is being built.

The last bonspiel of the season saw twelve teams in the year end Town & Country Open mixed bonspiel the third week of March. Winning the A event was the Wes Hawkings team with other team members Urs Mueller, Edith Attema, and Elisabeth Mueller from Bentley. They beat the John Stol foursome from Rimbey.

In the B event the winner was Lacombe skip George Ruttan, with third Brian Ruttan from Ethiopia; second Leonard Ruttan, and lead Mike Ruttan who beat out the John Hatala Rimbey team.

The C event winner was the Walter Lloyd team from Bentley with Marilyn Lloyd (third); Pierre Van Velzen (second) and Corry Van Velzen (lead). Runner up was Allan Wilson also of Bentley.

The prizes were all cash. Friday night there was a chili supper and Saturday saw a catered roast beef meal at the club. There were several door prize sponsors and everyone won something.

The club’s spring general meeting took place April 8 at the club with about 22 present. President Kyle Brink gave an informative power point presentation and reported three executive were needed.

Overall league winners were acknowledged.

The Monday seniors league was won by skip Ken Brown, third Dave Neufeld, second Michelle Lawrence, and lead Audrey Neufeld.

In the Monday night men’s league there was a tie between the Bentley team of Walter Lloyd, Wes Hawkings, Urs Mueller, and Jim Orr and the team of Joey Olson, Allan Olson, Scott Tompkins, and Don Olson from Sylvan Lake. The Olson team was the Bentley representative at the Northern Alberta Curling Association Traveler’s Playdowns at the Shamrock Club in Edmonton at the end of March.

Wednesday Mixed champs were Norm Rieu, Bonnie Muzylouski, Gary Muzylouski, and Deserie Rieu.

The Thursday morning seniors league winners were Gary Sparrow, Jim Morris, Glayde Ganderton, and Monna Sparrow.

Walter Lloyd, Marilyn Lloyd, Pierre Van Velzen, and Corry Van Velzen won the Thursday Mixed.

Gary and Monna Sparrow won the Friday morning two-person stick league.

Memberships and membership fees collected have increased as have bonspiel and bar profits. A sizable grant from Lacombe County and a grant from Conoco Philips were gratefully received.

A new ice scraper and cash register had been purchased.

A cash raffle for next year, as well as organizing a golf tournament, is being explored.

Club members will host a July 1 Canada Day barbecue downtown along with other volunteer group hosted events to help Bentley celebrate.

Bonspiel dates with some changes for next year were announced.

An ice technician is needed for next season.

New upgraded lighting in the downstairs lobby and upstairs is being considered again.

Executive is president Kyle Brink, vice president Krista Turner, secretary Bruce Cartwright, treasurer Bonnie Muzylouski, and directors Art Dykstra, Ralph Scarlett, Bruce Millar, Dawn Reid, with Tilly and Martin Wilson added.

The curling rink will soon put on a new face as the Bentley Farmers’ Market takes over the venue on Saturdays from the May long to September long weekend.