Joe McWilliams
Lakeside Leader

The annual Oilmen’s Bonspiel – a tradition in Slave Lake since the 1960s – won’t be on the usual first weekend in March this year. In fact it isn’t even being called the Oilmen’s. Instead, it will be held on the weekend of March 18 – 20 and it’s being called the Slave Lake Open Bonspiel.

Historically a project of the Slave Lake Petroleum Association, the bonspiel this year is being organized by the Slave Lake Curling Club. It will be ‘open’ format, meaning it welcomes men’s, ladies’ and mixed teams. That’s another break from tradition, but times are different.

Registration is $400 per team and the deadline to do it is March 14. Call Wayne Dastou at 780-849-9540 to arrange things.

In other curling news, Dastou says the plan is to extend the curling season to the end of April.