The Ice Hut is buzzing at the provincial curling championship  

By DOUG GRAHAM
THE WHIG-STANDARD
February 5, 2010
 

The Brier has its Patch, the Scotties has the Heart Throb Lounge and at Tankard 2010 Napanee, it's the Ice Hut.

At every major curling championship, the lounge where fans eat, drink and chew over the day's results is as much a part of the event as the action on the ice.

It is the arena version of being behind the glass at a curling club.

At the fifth-end break of the 10-end games at the Ontario men's championship, fans often head to the Ice Hut to watch the Sheet C feature game on the giant screen in the comfort of the lounge.

At the Strathcona Paper Centre, the Ice Hut is the large event room, which has been used for Christmas parties, dances and meetings on other days. It's only a few steps from the entrance to the ice surface.

"Our volunteers have put a great deal of work into making sure the Ice Hut was the place to be before, during and after games. It's been a big success," said Stephen Paul, chair of the Tankard.

The Brier Patch has increased in popularity since it originated in 1982, with that model helping other events establish their own lounges. According to the Canadian Curling Association, the first Brier Patch was established by the host committee that year in Brandon, Man.

The CCA, in its history of curling article, states "there had always been a meeting place at the Brier, but never one as elaborate as the Patch."

Kingston got into the act in 1985, at the Memorial Centre, and 1995, at Queen's Jock Harty Arena, with its own lounges for the provincials.

At Napanee, the average crowd at each draw has been around 500 people. Estimates suggest half of those people end up in the Ice Hut, either during the game or after-ward.

On opening night, it proved to be a big hit as the dinner -- it's far more than just typical concession food -- sold out. Other dinners, planned by Sandi Mc- Namee and her committee of volunteers, have sold out as well.