The hard work of a dedicated team is underway at Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay, transforming the facility from a hockey rink into a world-class curling arena for the upcoming Scotties Tournament of Hearts. The focus is on creating a consistent and optimal ice surface for the competing curlers.
For curlers competing in this year's Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the ice is paramount. Over the past five days, a dedicated team has been transforming Fort William Gardens from a hockey rink into a world-class curling facility, preparing for Friday's opening games. Workers meticulously leveled the existing hockey ice, painted it white, and then added multiple layers, incorporating rings, lines, and sponsor decals.
At least one more layer will be added before the icemakers begin pebbling the surface. Tom Leonard, brought in by Curling Canada to oversee the icemaking process at the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, described the intricate process. He explained that they build upon the existing hockey ice, using a laser level to cut down any high spots with a Zamboni, followed by flooding and purification. The ice is then painted, logos are applied, circles are cut and painted, and the sheets are foamed before further flooding.Consistency is the top priority for the 10-day event. Many curlers are unfamiliar with arena ice conditions, which differ significantly from the ice found in most Canadian curling clubs. They require assurances that the surface will perform uniformly throughout the tournament. Leonard emphasized the importance of a consistent ice surface, stating that whatever condition is established at the beginning of the week must be maintained until the end. He wants to avoid a situation where players experience drastic changes in ice speed or curl from one game to the next. Leonard aims to create a consistent and optimal environment that allows players to showcase their skills. Factors like outside temperature, the building's heating and cooling system, and the number of spectators can influence the ice conditions. Leonard is assisted by local icemakers from Fort William Curling Club and Port Arthur Curling Centre, including experienced veterans like Brent Adamson. Leonard acknowledges the invaluable contribution of local expertise and volunteers, highlighting the collaborative nature of the icemaking process. Once the ice is ready, a group of local curlers will test it out on Thursday night, allowing crews to assess its performance and make any necessary adjustments before the official start of the curling competition on Friday. Thunder Bay's Krista McCarville will open the tournament on Friday night against Saskatchewan in the opening draw, which begins at 7 p.m
Scotties Tournament Of Hearts Curling Ice Making Fort William Gardens Thunder Bay
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