Big weekend of curling ahead in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids Curling Club is gearing up for a big weekend of action and members of the public and employees from local businesses are invited to catch the action or, maybe, take to the ice themselves.

The fourth annual CedarSpiel tournament takes place Friday through Sunday at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena, 1100 Rockford Rd. SW, and features 18 teams representing eight states.

The competition begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday and continues from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and at 9 a.m. Sunday with the championship game set for 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

The public is encouraged to attend and admission is free.

During the event, four-time Olympian Debbi McCormick will be on hand to compete, meet with those in attendance and teach the game.

Before the tournament action begins, the Cedar Rapids Curling Club is teaming up with the United Way of East Central Iowa to host a fundraiser called 'Sweeping for Change.” The event takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and features teams from local businesses participating in a learn-to-curl clinic, followed by a chance to play three games to compete for prizes.

The deadline for businesses to enter a team is Wednesday. Entry fee is $800 and teams should consist of six to eight people.

All proceeds benefit United Way, said event coordinator Kari Kozek.

For more information or to register, go to cedarrapidscurling.com.

The mission of the Cedar Rapids Curling Club is to 'share throughout Eastern Iowa the ‘spirit of curling,' which is sportsmanship, courtesy and inclusiveness in athletic sport; to improve the health and quality of life for all willing to try; and to empower those committed to becoming a serious competitor on the national and international stage,”

After CedarSpiel, the Cedar Rapids Curling Club will turn its attention to its club activities, which includes hosting multiple learn-to-curl clinics beginning in the fall. Club members are looking to build knowledge of the sport in the lead-up to the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

'We always welcome new curlers, from first-timers, those with physical limitations to seasoned experts,” club members stated in a news release.