Even though I grew up near a curling facility and Central Massachusetts is home to a handful of curling clubs, I never actually tried the sport.
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I wasn’t trying to make a joke, but apparently what I said was hilarious.
Every summer, the main industry association for independently owned business journals holds an annual meeting in a rotating host city. This June, the Alliance of Area Business Publishers will have its conference in Ottawa, Canada. While planning the event, the publisher of Ottawa Business Journal reached out to the AABP board to see what sort of down-time activities would be of interest. He offered a list of cool adventures like touring Parliament, meeting the U.S. ambassador, etc.
After responding positively to most of those choices, I wrote a note at the bottom of the survey, saying what I really wanted to do while I Ottawa was to try the sport of curling. Even though I grew up near a curling facility and Central Massachusetts is home to a handful of curling clubs, I never actually tried the sport. So, I figured while I was in Ottawa, what could be more Canadian than eating poutine, drinking Labatt Blue, and trying curling for the first time?
OBJ’s publisher emailed me almost immediately, saying how hilarious my survey response was. Canadians don’t curl in the middle of summer. He even put me in touch with a member of his staff who is an expert curler, who also told me curling doesn’t really happen in June in Canada. With egg thoroughly on my face, I played along, saying I was trying to be funny. Haha.
I must be spoiled, having lived my entire life within driving distance of a year-round ice rink, even when I lived in Florida. Every day, I drive by the New England Ice Center in Marlborough, which is the largest ice sports venue in North America. All these facilities are primarily used for hockey, particularly youth hockey.
Managing Editor Eric Casey explores the significant economic impact of youth hockey in his “Power play” story. Not only do youth clubs generate millions in fees alone, but their tournaments are responsible for an entire subeconomy fueling hotels, restaurants, equipment vendors and gas stations. Casey’s story is an insightful read at a time when much of the economy and business-as-usual appears to be in turmoil.
And I will try curling one day. It may not be this summer in Ottawa, but the sport looks like too much fun to pass up.
Brad Kane is the editor of the Worcester Business Journal.
