Playdowns and bonspiels continue as the curling season starts to wind down at the new curling centre.

As the popularity of the sport continues to rise locally, Cochrane has had several opportunities to showcase the new curling centre to area curlers. Earlier this month it hosted the Southern Alberta Mixed Curling Final. Thirteen teams participated, including the Doug Campbell Rink of Cochrane.

Morgan Muise, curling centre program coordinator, says one of their goals was to attract a Southern Alberta final in their opening year. Being a smaller event, it gave the centre valuable experience in hopes of hosting other future and perhaps larger curling championship event.

Cochrane's Colin Gilbert, Renee Krcek and Ingrid Schmidt sweep the stone of skip Doug Campbell in the Southern Alberta Mixed Final held in Cochrane.

In the end, it was three Calgary rinks that advanced to the Alberta final being hosted by Beaumont, Mar. 29 to Apr. 2. Advancing were: 'A' event, Rob Collins rink, Calgary Curling Club; 'B' event, Michael Sali, Calgary Winter Club; and 'C' event, Cole Adams rink, North Hill Curling Club.

Curling with Campbell were Ingrid Schmidt, Colin Gilbert and Renee Krcek.

Just prior to this, the annual Ladies Bonspiel attracted 24 teams.

The Cochrane Curling Club wraps up its bonspiels with the mixed on Mar. 23-25. The centre is also hosting the Calgary and Area Curling Club Managers Club Championships, Apr. 3 to 6. 

The Ladies Bonspiel attracted 24 teams. Up next is the mixed bonspiel later this month.

Two Teams in Travelers Southern Finals

The Cochrane Curling Club has named its men's and ladies team entries into the annual Travelers Curling Club Championships being hosted in Lethbridge, Mar. 23-26.

Team Zeer, formed by skip Cinthia Zeer, third Tracy Wright, second Denise Lister and lead Stephanie Pfeiffer, will represent Cochrane in the ladies event. Team Weisner, formed by skip Ken Weisner, third Brian Milne, second Lorin Werle and lead Rob Zampa, is in the men's event.

Formerly known as the Dominion, curling clubs have the opportunity to send rep teams to the Travellers. The Cochrane teams first participate in the Southern Alberta playdown and have the opportunity to progress to the provincial and then national championship. It largely gives curlers who aren't semi-pro or professional curlers to compete at a provincial and national level.

The Cochrane Curling Club regularly sends teams to the Travelers and select the highest ranking league teams available to compete.