By Greg Higgins

Brighter financial future expected for the Twin Rivers Curling Club

May 4, 2016 | 6:00 AM

The financial future of the Twin Rivers Curling Club is looking more optimistic than it was at the beginning of this past season.

After reviewing their finances at the start of the 2015 to 2016 season, the Twin Rivers Curling Club were predicted to lose a significant amount of funds and it was looking at only two years of operating reserve.

Twin Rivers was formed in 2012 when the Battleford Community Curling Club and the North Battleford Granite Club amalgamated and moved into the Northland Power Curling Centre.

The costs which came with the move into the Curling Centre is currently the major financial drain on the club.

“The main issue that we’re facing is that our utility costs have virtually almost quadrupled since we’re moved from our old curling club in Battleford to our new facility,” said Twin Rivers president Richard Pratchler.

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The club received a grant from the City of North Battleford which Pratchler felt was a big help to stimulate a better season.

“That’s (the grant) been a big boost. We stuck a big drive on membership; we’ve increased the number of curlers that came out this season. We have looked at the sponsorships from the club from local businesses and we’ve done a lot of work with the tournaments and stuff we’ve hosted. We’ve done fairly well this season,” he said.

Due to an commitment with the City of North Battleford, the club has also sent grant requests to the Town of Battleford and the surrounding rural municipalities for the upcoming 2016-2017 season.

Pratchler added Twin Rivers has 240 members and it tries to hold at least one major event a year, so the club has become an impact player in the sports and business community of the Battlefords.

In addition, the club brought in the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Canadian Open, which will be taking place at the Civic Centre from January 3 to 8, 2017.

mkelly@jpbg.ca