New curling season looms as Regina clubs prepare to merge

With the rinks being flooded, preparations are already underway this week at Regina’s Caledonian Curling Club for the coming season. However, planning is likely a bit different this year as the Callie and Tartan get ready to amalgamate.

This summer, the Tartan announced it’s planning on closing due to financial constraints and joining with the Callie. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in July.

“Based on the registrations that we’ve had so far, we’ve had quite a few of the Tartan members coming over,” said Tiffany Watt, president of the Callie Club.

On Sept. 24, the Callie’s members will vote on whether to approve the MOU and the amalgamation. If that’s approved, it will become official as of November 1, 2018, and a new board will be formed.

Watt said the board will discuss things like improvements to the Callie to make the building “more enjoyable for the membership.”

Capital improvements to things like the boiler, chiller and condenser will also be discussed.

If the merger goes through, all of the Tartan’s assets will go to the Callie. Watt said the Callie isn’t struggling but it has been running on a break-even basis.

“Having those assets come to the Callie will put us in a better financial position for our membership.”

Watt said the new board will also work on how to incorporate the Tartan’s legacy within the club.

“Kind of looking at bringing over some of their memorabilia so that we can build a space for them to make sure that they feel welcome at their new club.”

According to Watt, a new name for the club could be discussed as well.

With the date for the merger to become official set at the beginning of November, the curling season will be well under way.

Watt said quite a few members from the Tartan have registered for the coming season at the Callie. She explained the club will be busier, but she expects they can accommodate the new curlers within the current leagues.
However, Watt said it will be hard to know for sure until all the teams are registered.

The other curling club in the city, the Highland, said it had a few members from the Tartan register for the season, but not as many as was expected.