The Parksville Curling Club is putting final touches on their 55+ BC Games preparations, by hosting a weekend bonspiel. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

get your feet wet

Parksville Curling Club putting final touches on 55+ BC Games prep

Sep 4, 2025 | 11:01 AM

PARKSVILLE — A pop-up bonspiel this weekend for local curlers will serve a dual purpose: letting eager stone sliders get onto the ice, and allowing BC Games athletes to get ready for competition.

The Parksville Curling Club is hosting a ‘Get Your Feet Wet’ bonspiel beginning Friday, Sept. 5 and running through Sunday, Sept. 7, at their Community Park facility, featuring 96 participants dusting off the summer cobwebs.

Club manager Stephen Ewashkiw told NanaimoNewsNOW the sold-out event will feature many of the athletes coming for the 55+ BC Games, some of whom won’t have thrown on an ice surface like the one Parksville has.

“We have very specialized ice in Parksville, we have what curlers call ‘arena ice’. It means that our ice is unusual and it’s more like what the players are using when they are playing in competitions like the Scotties or Brier. It’s faster ice, challenging for players who aren’t used to it.”

While the BC Games are set to be hosted in Nanaimo, the curling portion will be held in Parksville because the Nanaimo Curling Club isn’t able to cool its ice surface enough this early in the year.

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What was a blow for the Nanaimo club turned into an opportunity for Parksville, who were eager to step in.

“We’re really excited about it. I’ve talked to a lot of people who are coming to the games who are really excited that they are now playing on arena ice. It always feels you’re more like the people you see on TV when you’re playing on the same kind of ice.

Ewashkiw said it allows curlers to try different types of shots they ordinarily wouldn’t execute.

Immediately following the weekend bonspiel, the club will turn its focus to BC Games competition, with practice ice available all day Tuesday, Sept. 9, leading into competition the following day.

All games will be free and open to the public, with the club ensuring fans are right on top of the action.

“Most curling clubs, you’re only able to sit on the warm side to watch the game, but we have this unusual ability to let people on the ice side so they can hear the game like you can on TV, you can hear everybody calling the shots, screaming at each other and having a great time out there.”

Games will also be live-streamed through the club’s YouTube channel.

Following the games wrapping on Saturday, Sept. 13, the club will turn its focus to its regular programming and league play, including several opportunities for new curlers to embrace the sport.

More information will be posted on the Parksville Curling Club’s website.

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