The 7th annual Seniors' Curling Bonspiel was well represented by the Cochrane community.

Douglas Campbell, Bonspiel Coordinator, says this year brought out an amazing amount of curlers.

"This year we had 120 curlers which totaled 30 teams which was the most we've had, our norm has been 24-25 teams; so we are pleased to grow our numbers to 30. In anticipation that we are going to have more sheets of ice we will run an even better and bigger 'spiel next year in the new facility."

Campbell attributes the growing success to continual recruiting and a growing population of fit, healthy seniors.

"We have a lot of people who curl well into their 80s. This week had seven people over the age 80 and in order to maximize interest and participation we create squares for peer groups; so if you are 75+ and you are a social curler we put you in that square if you are a competitive curler we put you in a different square."

This year the bonspiel featured one square for social/competitive at 55+, two for 65+, and two for 75+ age groups.

Campbell adds making the bonspiel a great social experience is important.

"Participation is more important than the competitive aspect. The benefits and all the studies show the same thing, you have to be active. When you're active you are physically better , mentally better, socially better, you volunteer more, you are less of a burden on society."

Out of 30 teams, 22 were from Cochrane.

Next up for Campbell is recruitment of curlers for the 55 Plus Alberta Winter Game Playdowns, and Campbell shares they are hoping to fill vacant spots. Zone playoffs happen this month and next, with Provincials occurring in Grande Prairie. If you would like more information on joining you can contact Campbell at dec@cabsi.ca.

 

BONSPIEL RESULTS:

Square: 50+ Competitive

1st Shannon Nimmo & Dave Barlass (Cochrane), Glenys Bakker, Greg Smith. $400 cash winnings

2nd Mo Coutney, Bearspaw, Lloyd Copithorne (Cochrane), Nestor Shuler, Pete Langill (Calgary)

Square 60+ Competitive

1st Lorne Danielson team (Tuscany, Ray Hagel, Norm Lumbe (Strathmore), Murray Seminuk), $250. Cash winnings.

2nd Bill Strain, Wayne Macdonald (Cochrane), Lorna and Clare Bowie (Signal Hill)

Square 65+ Competitive

1st Orville Lammle team (Cochrane, Gerry Alfano, Ross Brownlee, Martha Neufeld), $250 cash winnings.

2nd Doug Campbell & Ingrid Schmidt (Cochrane), Jack Manns, Bliss McLean (Calgary)

Square 55+ Social

1st Alicia Brooks team (Cochrane, Tom and Elaine McFadden, Cheryl Whittal)

2nd Rick Heller team (Cochrane, Bette Heller, Bill and Annette Irwin)

Square 65+ Social 

1st Mike Kinakin Team (Springbank, Hilda Kinakin, Mike & MaryJane Hunter) $250 cash winnings

2nd Jim Wilkie team (Cochrane, Bob Knight, Lawrence Head, Karl Gibbie)

Square 70+ Social

1st  Bob Pisatcky (Airdrie), Monique MacKenzie, Jennifer MacKenzie, Greg Braganza (all Cochrane) $250 cash winnings.

2nd Alf Boldt(Calgary), Mel Buschert, Don Soul, Bernice Materie (all Cochrane)