Selkirk Manitoba - Grand Slam Curling Masters

Selkirk Manitoba Home of tHe Grand Slam CurlinG maSterS October 28 - November 2, 2014 07 6837 HWY 9 Selkirk, MB 1-888-482-7782 www.westsidehonda.ca SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG SIGN U N U N U N U N U N U N U N U N U N U N U N U N U N U N UP F P F P F P F P F P F P F P F P F P F P F P F P F P F P F P F P FOR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OUR OUR OUR OUR OUR OUR OUR OUR OUR OUR OUR OUR OUR OUR OUR OUR OUR E-N E-N E-N E-N E-N E-N E-N E-N E-N E-N E-N E-N E-N E-N E-N E-N E-N E-N E-NEWS EWS EWS EWS EWS EWS EWS EWS EWS EWS EWS EWS EWS EWS EWS EWS EWS EWS EWS EWS LE LE LE LE LE LE LE LE LE LE LE LE LE LE LE LE LE LE LE LETTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TTER! R! R! R! R! R! R! R! R! R! R! R! R! R! R! R! R! VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VISI SI SI SI SI SI SI SI SI SI SI SI SI SI SI SI SI SI SI SI SI SIT OU OU OU OU OU OU OU OU OU OU OU OU OU OU OU OU OU OU OUR SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SHOW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OWRO RO RO RO RO RO RO RO RO RO RO RO RO RO RO RO RO ROOM OM OM OM OM OM OM OM OM OM OM OM OM OM OM OM OM OM OM OM OM! SALES • RENTALS • SERVICE • PARTS THE NEW POLARIS AXYS SNOWMOBILES by Holli monCrieff for tHe free PreSS the selkirk reCreation Complex has been a hiVe of sporting and soCial aCtiVity sinCe it was built in 1992, and it's seeing a lot of aCtion this fall. In addition to the Rogers Sportsnet Grand Slam of Curling series Masters tournament Oct. 28 - Nov. 2, the complex hosted the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 19. The NHL game, broadcast on Sportsnet, was the highlight of a free weekend of activities during the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour stop in Selkirk. The arena at 180 Easton Dr. is also home to the Selkirk Steelers Junior Hockey Club, and it's the envy of many other teams. "The Selkirk Recreation Complex is the largest facility in the Manitoba division of the Junior Hockey League," says Steelers general manager David Obirek. "It has the largest attendance of any other arena in the league and, due to its size, it's able to attract a large number of major sporting events." Past sporting events have included the Safeway Championships, the Women's World Hockey Championships, and the Telus Cup. While the complex is 22 years old, it seems the 2,751-seat arena was ahead of its time when it was built. "It's shaped like a complete bowl, similar to the MTS Centre. It has a very modern feel," Obirek says. "There are no sightline obstructions. It's a complete oval — every seat in the house is a good seat, even in the press box. "It was one of the first large-scale rinks to be built outside of Winnipeg, and it's still considered one of the best rinks to play in in the Junior League. It's the major facility in the community and surrounding area, and the major focal point for hockey and other winter ice sports." Selkirk has produced two Hockey Hall of Fame inductees. Harry (Pee Wee) Oliver and Joe (Bullet) Simpson skated on frozen ponds and streams and enjoyed their professional hey-days in the 1920s and '30s, long before the arena was built. Today, Selkirk Steelers players, who are between 16 and 20 years of age, come from all over Canada, the U.S. and even overseas. Many aspire to play professional hockey or win college scholarships — players have recently earned scholarships to the University of Nebraska and the University of Alaska — and they have a solid local fan base. "Junior hockey is a really big deal, especially in a small rural community. Our kids really look up to our junior players, and aspire to be them one day," Obirek says. The City of Selkirk manages the building and its programs. It's open during the winter months for indoor walking or jogging, hockey and ringette and free public skating programs. A city-run concession stand ensures that no one ever goes hungry. It's the go-to place for creative treats like mac-and-cheese wedges and tacos in a bag, as well as burgers and other traditional concession fare. Community members can rent the lobby, banquet hall, ice surface or any combination of those areas. The banquet facility is licensed for 500 people and features a modern kitchen, bar services and banquet facilities. The complex has been a venue for the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame induction dinner, the Shrine Circus, high-school graduation ceremonies, wedding socials, fundraising galas and a host of other events. ■ For More inForMaTion, viSiT selkirksteelers.com or cityofselkirk.com. cream crop This ice Rink is of the

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