Hello, this is a story that is 25 years old and has 7 (seven) years of operations for the East Hants Curling Association which is a member of Nova Scotia Curling Association. The organization converts rink ice to curling ice from Wednesday night to Thursday morning and have 20 teams, Morning and Evening Leagues, afternoon Stick Curling for first time in 2024/2025 curling season and through Sport Nova Scotia and East Hants Youth Links have an Equity, Diversity, Inclusiveness, Accessibility program which provides free youth curling for the last three years. The rink Ice Technicians have attended a Nova Scotia Curling Association Ice Technician course and EHCA has engaged a local curling club ice technician to help with refresher courses to improve ice conditions. The membership is roughly 72 members of all ages and of this group 90% of the members would probably not be curling if not for EHCA being a local recreation and sporting activity.
The EHCA Board Of Directors is hard at work trying to obtain funding through the East Hants Municipality and this has been on going for many years. The EHCA was organized by a determined BOD and then with the help of rink curling ice installer Joe Murphy. The equipment funding was raised by canvassing local business for support, Play Theatres, WESTJET ticket raffles, Municipal grants, Sport Nova Scotia grants, 50/50 raffles, three Auctions which has raised over $45.000.00 and many other means. EHCA does home and homes with local clubs, a group of four (4) attended the 55+ Winter Games in Quebec City in September 2024 after placing silver in Pictou the year previously – four guys who only curled as a team twice.
EHCA has sponsored two curling Bonspiels, the first ever for East Hants, East Hants Curling Association Rising Tides Curling Bonspiel 17-19 November 2023 and second East Hants Curling Association Rising Tides Curling Bonspiel 29 November – 1 December 2024 and a third planned for 28-30 November 2025. EHCA has to do fund raisers because the cost of the ice for the weekend cost much more then the fees charged to teams for the bonspiel.
This is a story that has had great roots, a strong following and then the drive to make happen with the past Manager of the East Hants Sportsplex. fully supporting the EHCA Board of Directors to bring curling to East Hants.
There is much anticipation that the efforts will in the end reap the construction of an East Hants Curling Association Multi-purpose Curling facility that will serve the East Hants and surrounding communities.
Thank you for this opportunity to tell this story and do hope it receives recognition in your contest.
Harold MacNeil, President EHCA, 902-883-0130
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