Sports | DrumhellerMail - Page #4
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Last updateThu, 07 Dec 2023 4pm

Drumheller Curling Club cancels 2023-2024 season

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Concerns for public safety after a leak was discovered in the roof of the Drumheller Curling Club building has prompted the organization to make the difficult decision not to operate during the 2023-2024 season.
The leak was discovered as ice was being prepared to be put in for the upcoming season and, although the Town of Drumheller assisted in repairing the exterior of the roof, damage inside the roof has uncovered air quality concerns.
“The Town and the Drumheller Curling Club are, of course, concerned with everyone’s safety,” says Drumheller Curling Club President Debra Walker. “We are also expecting a heavy snowfall year, and we are just not certain if other leaks in the roof will arise, or how sound the roof is.”
Due to damage to the inside of the ceiling, a section of ceiling fell into the bar and concession area of the Curling Club. Mold was discovered on these pieces, and the area was cordoned off by the Town, and a quality assessment was requested.
However, upon receiving the air quality report, it was determined there were “significant levels of air contamination” in the boarded off area.
The Curling Club has faced challenges with its current facility since March 2022 when it was initially announced the lease on the facility would expire in June of the same year. This was due to extensive infrastructure repairs needed on the facility to bring it up to code amid health and safety concerns. It was estimated at the time it would cost about $1 million to complete all the necessary repairs on the facility, though this cost could increase if additional repairs and work were identified through the process, and did not include any aesthetic or ice upgrades.
However, the Town and the Club executive members came to agreements to allow the club to continue leasing and operating out of the facility until June 2024. Some minor repairs were completed to the facility roof to ensure no leakage, modify its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning control, and sealing the basement to prevent air flow between the basement and main floors.
“Without repair we are not able to benefit from the full use of the upper level. The concession/bar is a source of revenue for the club, and awaiting repairs would set our season back even further,” Ms. Walker says, noting even if repairs were completed it could lead to extensive work, and would require a second air quality assessment.
Currently, the Club’s executive are in communication with the Carbon Ag Society to see if teams can join their season for this year, and are hoping to hear response back later this week.
The Curling Club continues to look for ways to bring a new facility to fruition for the Drumheller community, and Ms. Walker says a company is being considered. She notes, however, the cost of a new facility is estimated at approximately $3 million. The Club will continue to fundraise to make a new facility a reality, and Ms. Walker says this will be a significant undertaking by the Club which will require support from its members and the Drumheller community as a whole.


DVSS Senior Dynos strike gold at tourney

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The DVSS Senior girls volleyball team is having a great season and is closing in on the postseason.
This comes after a successful weekend in Olds Koinonia in tournament play. They spiked their way to the final and won in three games, taking home gold against the home team.
This is not the team’s first success this season. They medalled silver at their home tourney in September, won silver at the Prairie Spike Invitational in Hanna/Delia, consolation silver in Lacombe in October, they also won bronze in a tournament in Calgary.
Currently, The Dynos are tied for first in our league with Trochu, and the league championship game is on Wednesday, November 15.
According to the ASAA website after the first round of rankings, Dynos are seated 6th in the province among 2A volleyball teams.
November 17 and 18 they head to Okotoks for the South Central 2A Zones Championship.

Bantam Titans battle to silver medal in league championship

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The Bantam Titans left it all on the field on Saturday afternoon, November 4, as they battled for the league championship with the Olds Bulldogs.
It was a battle in the making all season. Both teams were undefeated through the regular season and playoffs and were destined to meet on the DVSS Field.
The teams were both supported well by fans and were in a duel. The Titans did hold a 14-12 lead in the second quarter, but by halftime, they were down 29-14. Olds extended that lead in the third quarter to 44-14, but the Titans never relented and scored two touchdowns by the early fourth quarter, making the score 44-28. Olds quickly came back and went up 53-28, but the Titans marched the ball down the field to score again, making it 53-34. That was as close as they could get as the Olds put it in once more to end the game with a score of 58-34.
“I am very proud of how they finished, they never gave up and stuck with it,” said Coach Brad Iverson. “We thought maybe we would have a chance, but it was very hard to stop that quarterback they have. We knew they were good and would put up some points, but it is still a very successful year.”
In fact, it was an incredible season for the program. The Bantam Titans marched through the regular season handing teams lop-sided defeats. Unfortunately, they didn’t get the chance to size up some of the top competitors like Olds until the very end. He is proud of the effort of the players.
“I have coached some of those players in the first year that I came to Drumheller. So I coached them for four years. And quite a few of them for three years. I have been very proud to watch their growth from Peewee right on up, and their football careers are just starting, they are going to be forces in this program.”
The future looks bright for the team. Iverson says he has a lot of players moving up to the next level, but will still have about a dozen players that will fill key roles in the upcoming season, as well as players moving up from Peewee.


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