The Editor,
Curling’s more than 60-year history in Coquitlam may come to an end by today (Friday).
Plans are to repurpose the curling rink at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex for hockey, figure skating and other uses. Port Moody’s curling rink has agreed to accommodate as many of our leagues and activities as it is able.
From my observations, the five Coquitlam curling groups most affected will be the youth and adult learn-to-curl programs, the more than 600 students in the school system’s educational program, the Optimist Club junior curlers, more than 30 Special Olympics participants, more than 200 senior curlers and the several hundred adult evening curlers.
Successfully sustaining curling in the Tri-Cities is dependent on the success of the learn-to-curl program and youth programs.
The challenge of relocating the student education program to PoMo may be the logistics of transporting students from the schools near the Poirier complex. And the success of the junior curling program is dependent on that of the school program. The Special Olympics participation will be re-assessed if a move is necessary. Many of our senior curlers, aged from 55 to 89 years, may simply quit curling rather than move to another curling club.
Why must the curlers be the only victims of this seemingly unnecessary change. Further, we fail to understand the urgency to kick us out with such short notice.
Why this major change in priorities just eight years after this multi-million dollar facility was built?
Tony Tamayose, Coquitlam
