Napanee preparing for Tankard

By Paul Svoboda
Belleville Intelligencer
January 12, 2010

More than rocks will be rolling at the 2010 Ontario men's curling championships Feb. 1-7 at the Strathcona Paper Centre in Napanee.

Tankard chairman Stephen Paul said Tuesday that the official entertainment schedule for "The Ice Hut" lounge will keep toes tapping during the week-long provincial curling tournament.

"The Ice Hut lounge is the entertainment centre of the championships and will be the place to be before, between and after each draw," said Paul.

The Ice Hut name, which pays homage to a favourite winter sport in the Greater Napanee region, will be housed in the spacious banquet room at the twin-pad SPC which is in its sixth season of operation. The Goodyear hockey pad will be converted to four sheets of curling ice for The Tankard under the auspices of the Ontario Curling Association.

"The name Ice Hut reflects the love of fishing that many residents have in our area," said Paul. "This region has long been known as a great place to catch trophy walleye. As soon as the ice is thick enough, you'll be sure to find dozens of homemade huts huddled together over all of the best fishing hot spots in our region.

"Luckily for curling fans attending The Tankard, our Ice Hut lounge will offer a climate-controlled setting with a great selection of food and beverages and an amazing lineup of live entertainment."

Best of all, added Paul, "it won't smell fishy."

The Ice Hut will be the scene of The Tankard kick-off party Jan. 31 starting at 6:30 p.m. Featured entertainment will be provided by On Tap.

The Feb. 1-6 Ice Hut entertainment lineup is as follows:

Feb. 1: My FM Live on Location, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; The Kim Pollard Band (rock and jazz), 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

Feb. 2: Matthew English, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; Texas Tuxedo (country, classic rock), 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

Feb. 3: Tim Hallman, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; Been There (rock), 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

Feb. 4: Hannah Barstow, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; Redneck Boulevard (rock and country), 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

Feb. 5: Tim Sheffield, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; Rudy and Saddle Up (classic rock and country), 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

Feb. 6: Hannah Barstow, Paul Barton, Cal Wykes and Ryan White, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; The Ryans (featuring former world curling champ Pat Ryan), 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

Tankard ticket packages can be obtained by calling 613-354-4423.