On March 15-16, the Annual Ladies Bonspiel was held at the Assiniboia Curling Club. The theme of the bonspiel was plaid, perhaps in reference to the sport’s Scottish origins. There were prizes, a cash payout, a Saturday night banquet and a prize for the best-dressed participant.
Fifteen teams from Coronach, Moose Jaw, Limerick and Assiniboia attended the sporting occasion. Cruz-In provided the food. According to one participant, “It was a great weekend of fun and fellowship.”
Bonspiels are curling tournaments consisting of several competitions held over the weekend. Until the 20th century, bonspiels were organized in outdoor settings on frozen ponds or lakes. In Scotland, bonspiels typically happened on freshwater lochs. Today, most bonspiels occur indoors on artificial ice.
Curling has become an integral part of Canada’s national fabric. Although bonspiels began in Scotland, the most important curling tournament in the world is The Brier, the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship. The Canadian Women’s Curling Championship is also known as the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Cashspiels are also played as part of the World Curling Tour. Many local curling clubs in Canada host casual, social bonspiels such as the Ladies-only event recently held in Assiniboia. On March 22, the Assiniboia Curling Club is hosting the Men’s Bonspiel.
