Kamloops Curling Club:   Meet Our Ice Tech- Mike Merklinger

If you’ve ever visited the Kamloops Curling Club (KCC) and wondered what makes the curling rocks glide and spin with such precision, look no further than Mike Merklinger, our amazing and dedicated Ice Technician.

Coming from a curling family, Mike grew up surrounded by the sport and quickly got interested in being part of the fun.

“On my father’s side, my grandparents were curlers, and my father is an ice maker. As a kid, I spent a lot of time at curling clubs, either working with him or getting involved with curling myself,” he recalled.

Starting with junior curling at his home club in Ottawa, Mike’s enthusiasm for the sport quickly evolved. While still in high school, he worked part-time alongside his father, learning the intricacies of ice-making.

After a few years, he began to take the sport more seriously, and when he was 21 years old, he moved to British Columbia’s coast to follow his passion.

Eventually, Mike and his family moved to Kamloops, presenting an opportunity for him to join the KCC, where he will be entering his 6^th season this year. His expertise has allowed him to extend his role to several other clubs, as he works with those in Kelowna, Cloverdale, and Langley.

Mike also works as the Ice Technician for Curl BC, helping to organize provincial events and courses and often being assigned to make the ice at major events for Curling Canada and the World Curling Federation.

As an Ice Technician, Mike’s role is both demanding and rewarding. The curling season typically runs from late August to the end of April. With this busy schedule working with four different clubs, Mike’s priority is clear - maintaining the ice to the standards that curlers expect.

“The best part of my job is seeing the curlers happy and safe on the ice. I also enjoy teaching staff about ice-making,” he shared. “It is important to me to have a good team because, when I’m away, I want the ice to meet the same standards.”

Mike advises other Ice Technicians, or those interested in becoming one, to keep learning every day.

“You never stop learning with this job. Every time I go to an event, I am constantly learning, even if it’s something small,” he said. “I think experience is also key for young ice makers. It’s important for them to have a good attitude, work hard, and be humble.”

Usually, once people have started and learned the basics, Mike will encourage them to take a provincial ice technician course through Curl BC. Additionally, as he mentioned, volunteering at events is one of the best ways to learn and get the experience needed for the job.

Thank you for your tireless efforts, Mike! We’re lucky to have you as part of the Kamloops Curling Club family, and we look forward to many more seasons of exceptional ice and fun times ahead.

If you see Mike around the club, be sure to give him a high-five or a word of thanks. After all, he’s a big part of why we can all enjoy the sport we love.

---

 

2024 Curl BC Awards Success Story

The Kamloops Curling Club (KCC) succeeded at the 2024 Curl BC Awards! We are proud to announce that two of our members were the recipients of two prestigious awards this year. This recognition underscores the club's commitment to excellence and dedication within the curling community

The Annual Curl BC Awards recognize and honour individuals, teams, volunteers, organizations, and businesses for their outstanding contributions to the sport of curling in British Columbia. This year’s winners were announced during the Annual General Meeting in June.

For the Performance Awards category, Luci Tremblay was awarded the Wally M'Lot Official of the Year, recognizing her achievements as a curling umpire or referee.

"Curling has always been a part of my life", said Luci Tremblay, who began playing when she was young, as she was the sportiest of her three siblings. She has always loved the sport, from the afternoons she spent at the Curling Club of Grand-Mère to her Kamloops journey.

Luci was awarded the Wally M'Lot Official of the Year for officiating multiple events and building a positive rapport with her peers, local host communities, athletes, coaches, and staff across B.C., often being described as a team player, organized, and someone who clearly communicates the rules to all stakeholders.

Upon receiving this award, Luci said, “First of all, I am honoured and surprised to have been chosen.” She dedicates this honour to all the volunteers who supported her during the championships.

Luci further expressed her gratitude and thanked her curling mentors, coaches, and the people at Curl BC.

"I cannot ignore Ted Anderson and Phil Mackenzie, who pushed me to go further and gain confidence in my role as a Deputy Chief.  A special thought for Nick Atamanchuck, with whom I often work tournaments,” she expressed. “I also owe a debt of gratitude to Dianne Barker, who was always there to encourage me, explain what I did not understand, and always include me in the circle of high-level referees.”

 

Being part of the curling community in Kamloops has allowed her to connect with a lot of different people. Luci has officiated/volunteered/worked and more, five Canada Strauss, Brier, Scott Tournament, several Provincials, and the last Mixed Worlds in Kamloops. She also coached the Special Olympique and a Blind team for many years. In 2005, Luci received the John Matheson commemorative plaque from KCC for curling volunteering.

On the other hand, as part of the Long & Exceptional Service Awards category, Melanie Kopytko received the Elsie Mackenzie Youth & Junior Curling Program Volunteer of the Year Award. This award recognizes individuals who have provided extended and dedicated service to the youth and junior curling programs within a club, region, or province.

While she did not grow up with a curling background, Melanie got involved in the sport when her children started playing.

"Many people gave their time and expertise and supported my children when they started curling. I wanted to get involved in giving back to the community and create a junior curling program that would continue to grow the sport,” she said.

Melanie was nominated for her volunteer mentorship, increased participation and retention programs, and enhanced communication within the club and community to promote curling.

Starting out, she would help and volunteer, making hot chocolate, taking attendance, working closely with registration. As her children thrived, she became involved with the Thompson Okanagan Inter City, then high school curling, and so forth.

"In general, I love running events. The U15 RockFest in 2019 and the Special Worlds Qualifier in 2021 were great experiences as well,” added Melanie.

Reflecting on her curling accomplishments, she mentioned, "I was just one of the many people who run our junior program. I am proud of the program that we run out of our club, and watching our junior numbers come back after COVID speaks volumes of the work that our volunteers put into making sure curling continues to grow in Kamloops."   

She is excited to have been a part of and introduced Adult Learn to Curl a couple of seasons ago. This year, the club is launching a new Novice league for curlers with less than 5 years of curling experience.

Celebrating 75 years of KCC and the rich history of Curling in Kamloops, Melanie shared her plans for the celebrations.

“We are planning to add touches of the 75th celebration to a junior open house, a media and VIP luncheon at the club, a special Curing Day in BC, and capping it off with a 75th Anniversary Gala in November,” she expressed.

We are incredibly proud of our members and their accomplishments and can't wait to grow this community to promote curling at all levels. Congratulations to everyone involved in these remarkable achievements!

---

Situated at Seventh and Victoria Street in the core of downtown, the Kamloops Curling Club (KCC) has a rich history of resilience and success over its 75-year journey. From its humble beginnings to hosting international championships, the club has evolved into a dynamic hub for enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.

Established in 1948, KCC originated when the Memorial Recreation Commission (MRC) secured the land for the arena and curling club. Through fundraising efforts, the MRC built the Memorial Arena, while the curling club utilized debentures to construct the curling building.

The following year, the inaugural four-sheet curling club, unveiled on December 7, 1949, marked the beginning of a legacy. Designed by visionaries Cy Glover, alderman Allan Milton, and the city engineer, the one-storey original structure laid the foundation for a vibrant curling community in Kamloops.

As the years went on, the club expanded in 1964 with two new sheets on the east side, and in 1975, with an extra two sheets on the west side. Later, in 1987, a two-storey addition was built to enhance the facility, providing space for rocks, ice equipment, and dry storage. Given the rising demand and the club’s popularity, the kitchen was expanded three years later, leading to the creation of the Cy Glover room in honour of the club’s first president.

Soon enough, these renovations transformed the club into a hub that now welcomes curlers of all ages and skill levels. Today, the facility boasts 8 sheets of ice, a concession area, a lounge with a meeting room, and a pro shop.

Throughout its history, the KCC has proudly produced a long list of provincial and national winners, with the club's impact extending to hosting prestigious events, including the 1998 World Curling Championships, The Brier in 1996 and 2014, the BC Scotties in 2007, the 2022 Scotties BC Women’s Curling Championship and the Scotties in 2023, as well as numerous provincials.

“To this day, we are still providing strong teams, especially on the ladies’ side in recent years,” said Randy Nelson, decorated competitive curler and part of the Board of Directors at KCC. “Kamloops likely has some of the most successful curlers of most clubs in the country.”

In fact, in January of 2003, the Canada Cup was born and held in Kamloops for six consecutive years.

Despite challenges posed by COVID-19, the KCC has showcased a rebound for the past couple of years. Thanks to the variety of leagues, programs and events put on by the club, curling in Kamloops is rapidly expanding.

As Nelson shared, “The club’s Learn-to-Curl programs have brought over 120 people to the club, and the Burger and Beer nights are becoming popular within the community. Our junior curling program on Saturdays has also been growing, with approximately 60 kids enrolled for the 10-week program.”

This year, we also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Kamloops International Crown of Curling and the 75th anniversary of the Men’s Sportsmans Bonspiel.

As we commemorate these milestones, the legacy of the Kamloops Curling Club stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of curling in the community. From historic triumphs to present-day successes, the club

continues to evolve, welcoming new generations and contributing to Kamloops’ sports scene as the tournament capital of Canada.

Whether you're a longstanding member or a newcomer eager to contribute to the next chapter of the club, we invite you to stay connected, involved, and passionate about the game we all love.

---

As a sport known for its strategic finesse and camaraderie, curling has found a vibrant community in the heart of Kamloops. Over the last 75 years, the Kamloops Curling Club (KCC) has been home to incredible curlers, with several of its members being in the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame. Their achievements have not only shaped the local curling scene but have also left a long-lasting impact on curling in Canada.

Here are some of the legends who have made our club a hub of excellence and a testament to this sport.

Barry McPhee

Barry proudly represented British Columbia at the Canadian Brier in 1981 and 1996. His commitment to the sport and excellence on the ice have made him a revered figure in the local curling community, earning him a spot in the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. Besides being an outstanding curler, Barry was a well-rounded athletic competitor, playing fastball and commercial hockey while also playing golf on the CPGA tour.

Jim Cotter

A true icon, Jim has had over 10 appearances at the Canadian Brier – a B.C. record and a testament to his enduring passion and remarkable skills on the ice. Jim is also actively involved in building the next generation of curlers, as he volunteers at his home club in Vernon where helps organize the junior league.

Brian Windsor

As an inspiring member of the KCC, Brian earned the privilege of representing the province at the Canadian Brier in 2006, showcasing his skill and dedication to the game on a national stage.

Ray Olsen

For numerous years, Ray has dedicated his coaching expertise to junior curling initiatives at both McArthur Island and the Kamloops Curling Club. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, in 2016 he won the Junior Curling Award and in 2019, he was awarded coach of the year by Curl BC.

However, the accomplishments at KCC are not confined to the men's division.

Allison MacInnes

A force to be reckoned with, Allison has proudly represented British Columbia as a two-time junior and two-time provincial women’s champion. She was the former coach of the Brown team, earning quite the resume together and inspiring many young women in the sport.

Over the years, the KCC has also continued to attract curlers from other provinces who have made their mark on the ice, enriching the club's dynamic and fostering a spirit of friendly competition.

As we celebrate the achievements of these Kamloops Curling Club members, the stories of these legends serve was an inspiration for curlers of all ages, reminding us that curling is more than just a sport; it's a community where passion, skill, and sportsmanship come together.

---