Wednesday Feb. 22 Post

Report from Red Deer Scotties
A little about Red Deer.
Population 90,000 and is 1hr 20mins north of Calgary and Edmonton is about the same to the north.
Has the feel of London being in the middle between to large cities, Toronto and Windsor/Detroit.
Has most of the major stores, Walmarts Costco, Staples, Shoppers, and major restaurants.
Restaurants of choice by the teams have been, Subway, Boston Pizza, Tony Roma’s, Corra’s, The Keg and of course Tim Horton’s
I have had to learn routes to all the above places as well as many to most of the Hotels, Malls etc.
So far so good. One good thing is I can just call out on my 2-way radio for help if needed.
It is very easy to get around and there are roads that by pass the main parts. Numbered streets are also very helpful.
There are quite a few RV Dealers in town, lots of $$$ to spend.
It must mean there are lots of good places to visit and camp.
About the Scotties
Red Deer hosted the very first Canadian Women’s
Championship in 1961, called and the sponsor was Dominion Stores.
In 1981 Scott Paper Limited took on the sponsorship role and that has lasted to the present.
Alberta Teams have claimed a total of 6 times over 50 years.
1966 Gale Lee
1968 Hazel Jamieson
1977 Myrna McQuarrie
1978 Chris Pidzarko
1981 Susan Seitz
1992 Cathy Borst
 　
Red Deer offers a high class facility that is a perfect venue to host a national event of this caliber and without having to leave the building, called the Westerner Park, that houses the Enmax Centrium Arena, Parkland Pavilion (Heart Stop Lounge,) Pairie Pavilion, Banquet Rooms, Stockmen’s Pavilion.
Spectators have access to world class curling and exciting and ever-buzzing Heart Stop Lounge, meet-and greet areas where player are ready to socialize and sign autographs.
Many behind-the-scenes areas for sponsors, security, personnel, media and medical staff.
Monday, Family Day was another busy day at the Rink.
3 Draws with 3 shifts for the drivers. There can be up to 20 drivers per shift every day.
My shift was 12 noon to 6 pm. Everyone rotating between the Hotel, and the Centrium (curling venue)
After making a few trips I had to have 2 signs 24" X 36" printed at Staples and mounted on foam board and returned to a sponsor.
Next up was taking 2 officials to Calgary Airport then back for the remainder of my shift.
When not playing the teams are going grocery shopping, out for meals, malls and shopping.
Tuesday…..My Shift was from 6:30 am, started off and getting a run first thing to take the Curling Manager and Ice Technician for the St. George’s Golf & Country Club, Etobicoke to Calgary Airport for a 10am flight home. Bill was very interesting, he was involved in the Dominion’s. New all the ice makers in London and all the scuttle butt going on around Ontario Curling.
Back to Red Deer to finish out balance of shift ending at noon.
Watched last 5 ends of the afternoon draw, team Canada, Amber Holland vrs Team Ontario.
Tracy Horgan had things in control until giving up a 4. It was delicate shot thru a small port to bump out shot stone.
I was 3 rows behind the shot and the ice given looked to me too wide. Hey, you never miss a shot from behind the sheet.
Thing are heating up, Wednesday will be very interesting. Don’t drive tomorrow until 6 pm to midnight, giving me time to gather more stuff for the Blog.
Health news, there have been 6 players taken to the hospital with flu symptoms. The fifth players are getting their chances to play. One team played with only 3 players yesderday.