Hello Junior National Parents,

I would like to take this opportunity to first congratulate you and your team for their success in becoming your province/territory’s representatives at the upcoming junior national curling championship.  This is a time of great pride and excitement that will provide you with fantastic memories that you will cherish for a very long time.

As we prepare for the upcoming event, this championship provides you as parents the opportunity to see great curling and to meet and make new friends from across the country.  Traditionally, there are 3 nights set aside after the evening draws from 9:00 pm to midnight, when parents host each other by region during an informal meet and greet.  The theme of the evening is up to your individual creativity!  In the past, parents have taken this opportunity to introduce us to their home provinces using slide shows, skits, games and food.  Please remember that the theme of the evening is fun for all… and should end by midnight.  The schedule of events would be as follows:

Monday, January 18th  - Western Canada (Northwest Territories, Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta & Saskatchewan)

Tuesday, January 19h – Central Canada (Manitoba, Northern Ontario, Ontario & Quebec)

Wednesday, January 20th – Eastern Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Prince Edward Island)

Should you need assistance with equipment and/or refreshments, please let us know the specifics so that we can identify possible suppliers.  There is no kitchen in the hall; however, we can look into possible solutions for specific requests. I strongly recommend that food choices be as simple as possible as this too will allow you more time to get to know each other.  We have also been advised that alcoholic beverages will be available at the bar located in the hall but any bottles won as prizes should be wrapped and cannot be consumed on site.

Another evening not to miss is the closing banquet to which parents are invited to meet the other teams, witness the pride as recipients, receive individuals honors earned over the week and enjoy local hospitality enthusiastically emceed by our own Guy Hemmings.  Tickets are limited and must be reserved before January 15th.  If you plan on attending, please contact Christine Bonneville at the following e-mail Christine.Bonneville@ville.sorel-tracy.qc.ca to confirm the number attending and under whose name the reservation should be made.   It would also be important to mention if there are any food allergies to consider.

I would also like to remind parents that you can also reserve your event passes for the week thus ensuring guaranteed entry to the competition venues.  This information can be sent to me and I will forward it on to the ticket committee.  It makes it easier upon arrival as you’ll just have to pick up the tickets upon your arrival at the Colisée Cardin.

You will find attached a mapquest link that will provide you with directions to and from the Montreal airport and the two curling venues as well as lodging options and local interests. We have other activities that are currently being organized and we will be sending them to you under separate cover.

I hope I have been able to answer some of your questions, but please feel free to contact me should you have any further questions or concerns.

Jo-Anne Hug

Email: jo-anne.hug@snclavalin.com