Hoosier’s first outdoor bonspiel was cold but fun

By Joan Janzen

Hosting a curling bonspiel outdoors during -30 temperatures was recorded as a fun event back in 1999 when Hoosier held its first annual Hoosier Outdoor Cash Bonspiel in late January. The community had built their outdoor curling sheet the previous month in preparation for the upcoming event. The cold weather did not deter the maximum of 16 rinks entering from Alsask, Flaxcombe, Hoosier and Loverna; in fact they had to turn a half dozen entries away.

Les Miller throws a rock in the Hoosier Outdoor Cash Bonspiel held in January, 1999, when temperatures dipped to -30. Rinkmates Betty Thompson and Dorothy Arthurs looked on. Photo: The Crossroads, Feb. 8, 1999

Everyone in the community had pitched in to help flood the rink beside the Hoosier Hall. Despite the -30 temperatures, the curling began Friday evening, followed by a Calcutta, continuing to Saturday. Anyone wanting to view the curling auction did so from one of the many trucks that lined the sheet of ice and served as waiting areas where curlers warmed up.

The unique bonspiel had its own set of rules, including only playing four ends per game. All the participants were dressed appropriately for the frigid weather. According to an article in The Crossroads, everyone reported it as a fun event.