Cobourg is gearing up to welcome Ontario’s top curling teams to the Cobourg Community Centre for the Ontario Men’s and Women’s Provincial Curling Championships. The event runs from January 19 to 26, 2025.
Organized by the West Northumberland Curling Club, the championship will showcase teams vying for provincial titles and a chance to represent Ontario on the national stage.
The women’s champions will advance to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Thunder Bay, taking place from February 14 to 23. Meanwhile, the men’s winners will head to the Brier in Kelowna, scheduled from February 28 to March 9.
We caught up with organizing committee member Jeff Kilmer who, with the help of ice technicians from Curling Ontario, Cobourg Community Centre’s (CCC) GM Jason Johns, and a team of volunteers, will be responsible for transforming the ‘Bowl’ into four professional curling rinks.
Kilmer says a lot of folks think the hockey ice is removed, but that’s not how it works.
The process began Thursday (January 16) morning at 12:01 a.m. when the crews at the CCC completed work removing the glass and netting from around the hockey rink.
According to Kilmer, that’s when his team took over and he says by Saturday at noon, the ice will be ready.
Kilmer tells us the difference between hockey ice and curling ice is subtle.
We asked Kilmer if curling has changed much since the early 16th century when it began in Scotland.
In addition to making certain that the ice is just right for teams coming from across the province, Kilmer is the events operations coordinator and he’ll be overseeing the scoring and timing for all games, supported by some of the nearly 200 volunteers who’ll help the tournament come to life.
Tickets for the 2025 championships, including wheelchair-accessible options, are available at West Northumberland Curling Club – Home, Ontario Curling Championships, Jan 19 – 26, 2025, in Cobourg, ON or by contacting the ExperienceCobourg box office at 855-372-2210.
Fans are encouraged to join the excitement and cheer on their favourite teams – so ‘hurry hard’ and get your tickets today!
(Written by: Joseph Goden)