Curlers play in the 11th Annual Ironman Outdoor Curling Bonspiel on the Assiniboine River on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at The Forks. (TED GRANT / CHRISD.CA FILE)
WINNIPEG — Organizers of the Ironman Outdoor Curling Bonspiel are meeting with officials from The Forks to map out alternative plans should the river ice remain unplayable this year.
Warm temperatures have hampered efforts for crews to begin crafting the popular river skating trail.
Event director Michael Thompson says the Red River is the ideal location for the event, allowing enough space to build a complete 10 full-sheet rink.
“Based on passed events, we are projecting the 2016 event to be our biggest yet, so we needed to accommodate for its size.”
The 15th annual event is scheduled for February 5-7, despite the recent fate of the river trail.
Committee member Eric Dawson adds organizers are discussing with The Forks various other locations for this year’s bonspiel if the ice doesn’t begin to freeze soon.
The event has raised more than $61,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba in the last 14 years. This year’s goal is $15,000. Teams can register by visiting ironmancurling.com.
