Viterra Championship

4 2 0 1 8 V I T E R R A C H A M P I O N S H I P JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 4, 2018 | WINKLER CENTENNIAL ARENA, WINKLER Organizing one of the biggest sporting events in Manitoba is a daunting task at the best of times but it helps to have a blueprint. And that's just what Louis Tanguay, chair of the 2018 Viterra Championships, is using to pull off the bonspiel that will decide this year's men's provincial title from Jan. 31-Feb. 4. You see, the director of credit at Access Credit Union was also the chair of the 2015 Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts, which crowned the Jennifer Jones rink the provincial women's champions three years ago. "When we finished in 2015, we had a wind-up meeting and I asked the committee co-chairs if they would be on board if we (held another provincial championships) and they all said 'yes'. We had 22 of 24 come back and the two that couldn't had personal circumstances that didn't allow them," he said. "We had a template in place and we knew our strengths and our shortcomings. We're just fixing up the things we were deficient on the first time round. It was a lot of work then and this is a a lot of work, too, but with a lot fewer questions because people know the answers. I feel I just have to show up, open the doors and get out of the way." So far, more than 210 people have signed up to vol- unteer to work on accommodations, hospitality, officiat- ing, medical services, on-ice facilities, off-ice facilities, promotions, tickets as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. And it certainly wouldn't be a curling event without a bar. (Winkler, which was a dry community for many decades, went "wet" a few years ago.) "We've come a long ways," Tanguay said, adding that he's hoping to get his volunteer army up to 250. The 2015 Scotties posted a $148,000 profit, which was all injected back into the community, including $100,000 to the Winkler Curling Club to help fix its roof, but ex- pectations are a little lower this time around. The men's VITERRA CHAMPIONSHIPS READY TO ROCK (AND ROLL BEHIND COVER) BY GEOFF KIRBYSON With everyone yelling, "hurry!" it'll be tough, but take your time and drink responsibly. YOU THINK IT'S A COINCIDENCE THAT THERE ARE 16 ROCKS PER SHEET? Original16.com OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF 13995_O16_Tim Hortons Brier Ad_FA.indd 1 2017-12-21 9:35 AM WORK&PLAY s, ts , Athletic Therapists treat: • Common injuries from falls, daily activities and sports • Chronic and recurring condition pre-surgery and post-surgery • Emergencies at sporting even such as concussion, fractures and spinal injuries • Workplace and motor vehicle accidents Athletic Therapists are: • Experts in the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries to your muscles, bones and joints • Skilled in active rehabilitation that assesses the whole body and treats the cause • Trained in concussion recognition, management, and safe return-to-play Certified Athletic Therapists are recognized by the letters CAT(C) RAPID RETURN TO Find an athletic therapist www.mata.mb.ca Best known for treating professional and elite athletes, CERTIFIED ATHLETIC THERAPISTS are experts in rapidly rehabilitating injuries sustained by everyone, from kids to seniors recovering from hip surgery. with concussions, MANITOBA ATHLETIC THERAPISTS' ASSOCIATION

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