July 2019
Although it is early summer, the Club is looking ahead for the start of curling in September. The first event will be an Open House and Blender on Saturday, 21st September, followed by the start of league play on Monday, September 23rd. Our General Manager, Paul Dixon, has contacted all the League Reps and we expect registration for the fall to start on July 15th.
Paul and Cody have been working hard over the summer. The south roof directly opposite VicPD has been fixed and re-shingled. Work has also been ongoing on renovating the Stone’s Throw Lounge. There will be a new look and perhaps a new name as well.
VCC were active supporters of the Juan de Fuca Curling Club in their efforts to to keep their club alive. Unfortunately, Westshore Parks and Recreation are going ahead with the closure of the club and are taking out the curling ice. As a result, as was the case with the closure of Glen Meadows, we will be seeing some JDF curlers and leagues come over to VCC. I encourage you to welcome them to the Club and to make them feel at home.
A reminder that this year’s Annual General Meeting will be on Tuesday, 10th September in the upstairs lounge. I am working on an annual report to be sent to members in advance of the meeting, as was the case last year. I anticipate this year’s report will show the club’s finances are in better shape than they have been for many years and that our membership is growing.
This is primarily due to the hard work of the VCC staff, under the direction of Paul Dixon, as well as to a corps of dedicated volunteers. As in the past year, 2019/2020 shapes up to have a very busy curling calendar, and we will need more volunteers to help out as coaches, with bonspiels and events, to serve on committees and working groups, or just to help out as needs be. More details will be sent out later this summer and at the AGM. If members could give the club just two hours of volunteer time over the season, it would make a big contribution to VCC’s success.
The AGM will also see elections for a new Board of Directors. I will be stepping down as President. Mark Stefanson, Past President, is chairing a nomination committee to seek candidates. All lot of heavy lifting has been done in the club over the last six years, and although there are still some challenges, VCC has renewed itself as a positive and dynamic place to curl and hang out. Now is a great time to be on VCC Board of Directors. There are lots of exciting possibilities in the offing. If you are considering sitting on the Board, or know someone that you think would be a good candidate, let either myself know at neilalexcam@gmail.com or contact Mark Stefanson directly at markstefanson@shaw.ca.
Neil Campbell
President
Victoria Curling Club