rbi
Hitting Paint
Registered: May 2014
Location:
Posts: 143 |
yes you can
Absolutely you can do this on skating ice. Most of the clubs in the USA started this way.
First thing: organize an event at a local bar or restaurant, preferably one that is at or close to the ice rink. Publicize it widely. Use this to attract others in your community who might be interested in curling. See how many people show up. Talk through the idea, see if there are any additional crazies in your town willing to make this happen. If nobody shows up then you will have saved yourself a lot of trouble, but still don't give up. Wait until February of 2018 and try again.
If there is good interest, then ask, "As a founder of something great that will last 100 years in our town, how much money would you be willing to contribute to get this off of the ground?" If everybody contributes a small amount of money or if one person contributes a larger amount of money, then you will be able to do something decent. Your initial goal should be $5000 and 30 people.
Don't put on a junk version of the sport with homemade stones and brooms. A junk version of the sport (with homemade stones and brooms) will get no traction. The manager/owner of the ice rink probably will not work with you if you just do a junk version. But it does not take a ton of money ($5000) to get started on a perfectly acceptable version of the sport on your local ice rink.
For $5000 you should be able to get something like this:
16 real stones (used) = $3200
8 brooms (used) = $100
2 hacks (used or new) = $200
two step on sliders (new) = $50
two stabilizers (home made) = $20
20 pairs of grippers (new) = $400
a pebble can (used or new) = $100
and seed money left over to rent the initial ice time at your local ice rink.
other equipment is either optional or can be made at home for near minimal cost.
If $5000 is unreachable, then ask the nearby curling club (200 miles away) whether they have any equipment you can borrow or rent from them. Many curling clubs have extra, unused equipment lying around. The big cost, of course, is the stones, and the nearby club might have extra stones you could borrow.
The nearby club is more likely to give or loan to you if they trust you and see the potential in increasing their pool of bonspiel curlers down the road. The best way to build trust with them is to curl with them. If your initial event/meeting attracts even four people (including yourself), then form a team and travel to the nearby club and enter one of their bonspiels. Even if you have zero experience you will probably be welcomed at that club, they might even teach you how to curl. If you curl in their bonspiel then they will love you and be much more likely to share equipment with you which will lower your costs. You'll also have a great time.
BTW, what are the length/width dimensions of your local ice rink?
If you are in the USA, then lean on USA Curling as a source of information and support. Once you get past the "we did it once!" stage, then look to them for all sorts of resources. Here is their starter web page: http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Curling/...Starting-a-Club
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