Olympic sport of curling sweeps into Aston

County Council recognizes IceWorks for hosting on-ice athletes of all types

            One week after the sport of curling captured the world’s attention at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Delaware County Councilman John McBlain took to the ice to try his hand at curling a stone at IceWorks in Aston on Feb. 22.

            While missing his mark, Councilman McBlain gamely participated in a library-sponsored curling event that kicks off the week-long USA Curling Nationals that brings top men’s and women’s curling teams from across the country to Delaware County to compete at IceWorks March 1-8.

            The Feb. 22 reading event, hosted by Aston Township Library and the Delaware County Library System, featured the book, “The Adventures of Trefor the Curling Rock,” written by Kim Perkins of Calgary, Canada. The author tells the tale of a young curling rock named Trefor who sets out on an adventure to find out who he really is.

            The reading featured many guests including Councilman McBlain, USA National Curling Team member Courtney Slata of Aston, State Rep. Joe Hackett, Delaware County Library System Director David Belanger and Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau Director Tore Fiore.

“It was great to see all of the children who had fun at the story time and learned about curling,” said Councilman McBlain. “I like to see them them get involved, especially when this sport is hosting the national championships right here in Delaware County.”

IceWorks will host 110 athletes in the 2014 USA Curling Nationals, including 15 Olympians, six of them just back from Sochi, and a local team of curling sisters from Marple Newtown. IceWorks won a bid to host the 2014 Curling Nationals against cities in Minnesota, Iowa and Michigan. It is estimated that the March Curling Nationals will have a $2 million economic impact on the county.

At the Feb. 26 Delaware County Council meeting, Council Chairman Tom McGarrigle presented a resolution to IceWorks owners and staff members recognizing them for their contribution not only to on-ice sports, but to the community and local economy.

Since opening its doors in 1997, the IceWorks Skating Complex in Aston Township has provided rink time for public skating, figure skating training, ice hockey action, ice dancing and now curling. This is the only public rink in the United State or Canada that has a professional coaching staff that includes legendary icemen such as Jim Watson, the Flyers veteran of two Stanley Cup championship teams, who leads the hockey staff, and Uschi Keszler, coach of Olympic skater Elvis Stojko, who leads the 18-member figure skating staff.

IceWorks is a strong contributor to the local economy, drawing thousands of visitors to Delaware County hotels, restaurants and other businesses each year. The staff said 4.5 million people visit IceWorks each year, and they host youth, collegiate and professional tournaments, plus birthday parties, banquets and other unique recreational events.

IceWorks is a member of the Aston Business Authority. Staff members also take educational programs to local schools and senior centers. This month, they’ve been busy presenting curling demonstrations, and teaching members of the public to curl.

The excitement continues to build in Delaware County with the 2014 National Curling Championships starting March 1. Curling has gained popularity since it became an Olympic sport in 1998.

Comprised of two teams of four players each, curling features players (curlers) sliding stones called rocks across a sheet of ice toward a target area. As part of the strategy, the path of the rock is influenced by two sweepers with brooms who accompany it as it slides down the sheet.

             

Delaware County Councilman John McBlain joins Canadian author Kim Perkins in a story time at IceWorks in Aston featuring Perkins’ book, “The Adventures of Trefor the Curling Rock.” The Feb. 22 event, hosted by the Aston Township Library and the Delaware County Library System, was the kickoff to the USA Curling Nationals that runs March 1-8 at IceWorks. 

Delaware County Councilman John McBlain presents Kristen Marvel, 9, of Malvern, with two all-day passes to the USA Curling Nationals at IceWorks, taking place March 1-8. Kristen assisted Councilman McBlain during a story time featuring the book, “The Adventures of Trefor the Curling Rock,” written by Kim Perkins of Calgary, Canada. 

Delaware County Councilman John McBlain tries his hand at curling at IceWorks in Aston prior to the USA Curling Nationals set for March 1-8 at IceWorks. McBlain is joined on the ice by, from left, IceWorks manager Lisa Shaw, Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Tore Fiore, and Maryanne Bullen, Delaware County Library System board member and director of the Aston Business Association.

IceWorks is economic ‘hat trick’ for Delco

Delaware County Council recognizes the owners and staff from IceWorks Skating Complex in Aston Township for IceWorks’ success as a sports venue that benefits on-ice athletes in addition to the economy of the area. Shown at the Feb. 26 County Council meeting are, front from left, General Manager Stephane Charbonneau, Manager Lisa Shaw, Councilman Dave White, Council Vice Chair Mario J. Civera with a curling broom, Chairman Tom McGarrigle, holding a curling stone, and IceWorks owners George Scherback and Jim Watson. IceWorks hosts the 2014 Curling Nationals March 1-8.