Curling is making a slow climb back to popularity after a post-pandemic slump, and locals hope hosting provincials will help bolster interest.

The 2024 B.C. wheelchair, menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 curling championships are set to rock the Archie Browning Sports Centre in January.

B次元官网网址淚t should be excellent curling. Winners go to Canadian finals B次元官网网址� you never know they could be on the world stage. I expect it should be good curling,B次元官网网址� said Alan Teasdale, president of the Esquimalt Curling Club that hosts the event alongside the Victoria Curling Club and Curl BC. B次元官网网址淭he event is great when there are lots of people in the stands.B次元官网网址�

A total of 23 teams B次元官网网址� 12 menB次元官网网址檚, eight womenB次元官网网址檚 and three wheelchair B次元官网网址� compete over the five days. This historic event marks the first occasion where all three championships have been held at the same time in the same venue.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 going to raise the interest in the community again of curling,B次元官网网址� Teasdale said. B次元官网网址淲e lost a lot during COVID and itB次元官网网址檚 just starting to come back this year.B次元官网网址�

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Before the interruptions of 2020, club closures at Glen Meadows in North Saanich and Juan de Fuca in Colwood meant more players travelling to play in Victoria and Esquimalt B次元官网网址� boosting membership.

B次元官网网址淲e have one curling community in town and we have two clubs. We donB次元官网网址檛 care where you curl as long as you curl,B次元官网网址� he said.

There are learn-to-curl programs at the Victoria club on Quadra and Esquimalt hopes to build on theirs. But during the provincial competition, the organizing committee found sponsors to help promote the sport to local students.

B次元官网网址淓ven though curling is going on in the curling rink we freed up some ice. TheyB次元官网网址檙e going to bus some of the school kids in,B次元官网网址� Teasdale said.

Then theyB次元官网网址檒l head in and watch the best in the province battle for B.C. titles.

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ItB次元官网网址檚 among the ways he hopes the community can welcome new faces.

B次元官网网址淲e have one curling community in town and we have two clubs. We donB次元官网网址檛 care where you curl as long as you curl,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 one of those lifelong sports you can do from your teens into your 90s itB次元官网网址檚 one of those sports you can pick up and leave and come back.B次元官网网址�

Provincials run Jan. 23 to 28 at the Archie Browning Sports Centre, 1151 Esquimalt Rd.

Learn more, including how to volunteer, online at .