Sports in brief

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This article was published 15/04/2019 (2513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Curling club receives partial funding for critical repairs 

The Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club has received more than $23,000 from the City towards the replacement of its aging condensers. 

The club has two condensers that are part of its refrigeration system and are critical to operations. The condensers started experiencing mechanical problems at the end of the 2018-19 curling season, according to a letter submitted with the funding application. 

The total replacement cost is estimated at more than $46,000 and the Assiniboia community committee approved to fund 50 per cent of the project through a community incentive grant during its April 8 meeting. The curling club is responsible for finding the remaining funds.

The plan is to remove the old condensers from the club’s roof and replace them with a new 56-tonne system fenced-off and set on piles at the north end of the building at 940 Vimy Rd.

Founded in 1929, Assiniboine Memorial has more than 1,100 members and a number of elite curling teams use the facility for training.

If the condenser replacement project isn’t completed by August the club won’t be able to operate for next year’s curling season.

Local golf courses shoot for late April opening date

With temperatures rising, golfers across the city are itching to get onto the greens. 

Ben Fey, chief operating officer with Winnipeg Golf Services, said no opening date has been set for the city’s three courses yet, but conditions are promising.

The City of Winnipeg operates the following golf courses: 

A nine hole course at Crescent Drive (781 Crescent Dr.), and 18 hole courses at Kildonan Park (2021 Main St.) and Windsor Park (10 Des Meurons St.).

The pro shop is open, but the start of the 2019 Assiniboine Golf Club season is still at “the mercy of the weather.” 

Assiniboine’s director of golf, Glen Mills, said that the course, located at 2045 Ness Ave. could open as early as April 27, but the schedule is ultimately dictated by weather conditions between now and then.

The clubhouse opened on April 8 and its current hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Sunday. The restaurant remains closed and will open when the season starts. 

Tuxedo Golf Course is also waiting on Mother Nature to announce the first tee times of the season. The pro shop for the course at 400 Shaftesbury Blvd. is currently open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Wesmen recruit Vincent Massey star

The University of Winnipeg Wesmen announced the first pick of their 2019-20 recruiting class on April 5. 

Donald Stewart, a 6-7 forward out of Vincent Massey Collegiate, has committed to the men’s basketball program for next season. 

Stewart helped the Trojans varsity boys program win a AAAA provincial title in March. He averaged more than 20 points and nine rebounds per game as a senior with the Trojans, who are coached by former Wesmen guard Nick Lother.

“He really understands the game and is able to apply a lot of information at the same time, which allows him to be a positive contributor to any basketball team,” Lother said.

In a media release, Stewart said he was convinced to join the Wesmen after meeting with the team’s head coach Mike Raimbault at the beginning of his Grade 12 year. 

“I was really liking everything he was saying about the university, about the team. I really wanted to play here,” Stewart said. 

“I think he’s obviously a guy who’s been in a lot of big games,” Raimbault said. “He makes smart decisions and really understands the big picture of the game and what needs to get done for everybody to be successful.”

Stewart will study communications at U of W and will have five years of eligibility.

Doug Brown Football Camp at RecPlex

Former Winnipeg Blue Bomber great Doug Brown is hosting the 10th annual KidSport Winnipeg football camp at the University of Winnipeg Axworthy Health and RecPlex on May 11. 

Brown, along with a number of current and retired CFL players will take kids through all the elements of a football combine, as well as position-specific fundamental drills and exercises.  

“Time does fly when you’re having fun. 2019 represents the 10th consecutive year that the KidSport Football Camp has been in action, and to date, we’ve been privileged to have over 800 kids participate and take part in our skills and drills day,” said Brown in a media release. 

“Countless numbers of volunteers as well as many former and current Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been instrumental in putting on this free camp, which has a lot of football experience behind it, and is intended to raise money and awareness so that KidSport can reduce financial barriers for kids to play sports.”

The camp is free to attend and open to athletes in Manitoba who received KidSport funding in 2018 to play football.

Visit kidsportcanada.ca/manitoba for more information.

— Staff