The Ste Anne Curling Club

Registration numbers at the Ste Anne Curling Club have dropped in back-to-back years, leaving the club short of the money it needs to pay rent.

President Linda Buss says they have lost teams to Lorette and Steinbach in the past two years and although the numbers in their mixed program have gone up, it hasn't been enough to cover rent.  The club has asked the Town of Ste Anne to forgive $16,000 of the $36,000 rent bill, something there is precedent for.

"We were in a bit of a deficit last year as well, so the Town helped us out which was great," Buss explains.  "We need now to get the RM (of Ste Anne) involved in helping out with the curling.  The RM doesn't give us very much, yes they have a lot of places to give to, but we are hoping they give a little more to curling."

The town forgave $12,500 last year.  Buss describes what would happen if the town didn't forgive the rent money this year.

"You know what, I'm not sure," she says.  "Really, what else can be done with the building? Curling always has its ups and downs, so we're hoping they forgive us this year and membership gets up again next year and we can keep the curling club going."

Buss notes they started a junior program two weeks ago and want to get schools involved to try to grow the sport in youth.  She adds they have a great club for people to simply come out and have fun at.