The upcoming 2011 Boston Pizza Cup will be a busy time for two Foothills curling club managers and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Oilfields Curling Club manager Mike Libbus and John Steel of the Highwood Curling Club will form part of the on-ice crew for the upcoming Alberta Men’s Provincial Championship in High River.
“We’re pretty excited,” Libbus said.
The two men will ensure Alberta’s finest curlers will have the best possible ice at their disposal for the bonspiel Feb. 9-13 which is a qualifier for the Brier.
The bonspiel will be held at the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex, which is right next to the Highwood Curling Club.
Converting the hockey arena into a curling rink will be a challenge for the icemakers.
The complex will be transformed to a facility with four sheets of curling ice in the hockey arena.
While the differences in the ice are not substantial, the main challenge will be maintaining a playing surface while accounting for the atmospheric conditions.
Climate control during bonspiels like this is a substantial challenge, Libbus explained.
With the heat fluctuating due to the presence of a crowd, the ice-making crew will have to make sure any temperature fluctuations are monitored.
Fortunately, the icemakers will be under the guidance of one of the world’s best — southern Alberta’s own Jamie Bourassa.
“Jamie’s one of the best in the world so learning from him is going to be a great experience for us and we’re not worried one bit,” Libbus explained. “I suspect the ice will be 100 per cent and the curlers should be happy.”
Having taken care of the ice at high-profile bonspiels like the Brier, Bourassa is unlikely to encounter any trouble with the fluctuating temperatures at a converted hockey arena.
“You are talking about one of the best icemakers in the world who will be there doing it so I expect the ice to be perfect,” Libbus said.
Bourassa and his crew will be pulling long hours in anticipation of next Tuesday’s practice round. The process will get underway on Friday with an initial flood while the ice making itself will start on Saturday.
Steel will also be kept busy with various other tasks associated with hosting an event of this calibre. It helps it’s all happening in his backyard.
“I know where everything is,” he laughed.
Having worked on ice crews for the Brier and other high-profile bonspiels, Steel is ready for the influx of curling talent for the Alberta Provincials.
With 12 rinks vying for the title, the field will include 2010 Olympic champion Kevin Martin, World champion Kevin Koe and former Brier champion Randy Ferbey.
Like Libbus, Steel said he is looking forward to the event from a fan’s perspective as well.
“I believe we’re nearly sold out… so we should have full crowds for every draw,” he said.
Despite the busy week ahead of them, both men should get a chance to watch the games and appreciate the level of play on display.
“I’m going to be taking in the whole week,” Libbus said.
The 2011 Boston Pizza Cup will begin on Feb. 9 at the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex. For information on any potential remaining tickets, call 403-649-6286 or visit www.2011albertamenscurling.ca.
