It has been another exciting and busy year at Soo Curlers.  Firstly I would like to thank everyone associated with the Club for their effort this year.  Our ice staff, kitchen staff, bar staff, Ian and Angela, the directors and the volunteers who helped make the Club the best it can be.  Remember the Club is only as good as its members.  Please give some thought to volunteering next year.

Congratulations to those members who have represented our Club at Provincial or National events.  You have done us proud.  They include Al Harnden’s team at the Senior Nationals, Brad Jacob’s team at the Junior Nationals, Elayne Uhryn’s team at the Women’s Provincials, Dusty Jakomait’s team at the Mixed Provincials, Clint Cudmore’s team at OFSSA and Anne Harris as a member of Team Northern Ontario at the Women’s Senior Nationals.

We have applied to the Trillium Foundation to help us defray the cost of a new chiller.  Unfortunately, we were not aware of a deadline, therefore we will need to reapply for the fall.  Michel Bouffard and John Prgomet should be congratulated for putting together our application and are busy fine tuning our new application.  As well we will be applying to the CCA for a development fund to replace our furnaces.  We are presently working out the financial figures on both projects to estimate the cost to the Club.

Please have a look at the fee and payment structure included in your package.  We have provided you, our members, with several payment possibilities to help you pay your fees.  It is imperative that all fees be paid by the time we begin curling.  The Board has looked at streamlining the process and having a better accounting system.  We also need to increase our membership.  Our nighttime leagues, both men and women have dwindled in number.  Obviously that is reflected in our strong daytime program.  Help your Club be stronger.

There are three openings on the Board of Directors.  These are two year appointments.  Please consider letting your name stand for one of these positions.  The Board usually meets once a month.  A personal thank you to George Dunseath and Joanne Perry for their contributions to the Board.

UPCOMING EVENTS

You can look forward to once again seeing the best teams in curling as our Club will host the Horizon Capital Curling Classic Women's Cash Spiel in November.  This event will probably be the last major spiel before the Olympic qualifier.  The NOCT Tour is coming to Soo Curlers.  We have agreed to host an event this year.  We look forward to both these events.

We are in the process of working out the details to open our season with a Country Jamboree.  Thanks to John McClenaghan for this idea.  We hope to fill the rink.  Plans are still in the infancy stage but we intend to have a BBQ and dance.  Hopefully we can provide you with more information at the annual Meeting.  This event will take place on October 1st.

Andre Litalien, President