CurlManitoba is pleased to announce that, after a successful first year, Access Credit Union will be extending its support of CurlManitoba’s Junior programs and of Masters curling via the Bob Picken Open Masters Bonspiel (the BOBSpiel).
The CurlManitoba-Access Credit Union partnership began as a one-year agreement a year ago. Key elements of the extended partnership, for the next three years, will include:
- Supporting the strengthening of CurlManitoba’s Youth Curling Camps program. The Access Credit Union Youth Curling Camps are designed as fun and positive one-day camps for young athletes to play, have fun, learn, and improve in the sport of curling. Individual and team instruction provide a chance for the young athletes to work on all of the sport’s fundamental skills.
- Continuing the doubling of the number of Bob Picken Junior Legacy Grants provided by the annual Bob Picken Open Masters Bonspiel. Again, this year, at least six $500 grants will be made to support junior curling programs across the province. Access Credit Union will again have Presenting Sponsor status for what will be the first competitive Masters bonspiel of the season (September 25-29, 2025 at East St. Paul CC)
- Supporting a youth curling development as the Presenting Partner for the Dynasty U20 Mixed Doubles Championship (April 9-12, 2026, Pembina CC)
- Supporting the annual Manitoba Open Bonspiel as an event sponsor
Access Credit Union is one of the largest Credit Unions in Canada. As Manitoba’s largest, it has over 206,000 members with branches spread across Winnipeg, the eastern half of Manitoba, from Manitou to Sprague and north into the Interlake as far as Eriksdale and Fisher Branch.
“Curling brings people together in Manitoba, building community, teamwork, and lifelong skills,” says President and CEO, Myrna Wiebe of Access Credit Union. “Supporting youth and junior curling means investing in the next generation of athletes and leaders. We’re excited to partner with CurlManitoba and the many volunteers who make these junior and youth curling programs possible”.
On behalf of CurlManitoba, Executive Director Craig Baker expressed sincere appreciation for the extended support of Access Credit Union. “Over the past year, we found that the CurlManitoba and Access Credit Union priority on youth development through sport meshed well together. We look forward to being able to continue to expand our efforts with the support of this valued partner and the extended partnership agreement.”
Bob Minaker, co-chair of the Picken Open Bonspiel committee, also added his appreciation to Access Credit Union. “We made $6,000 in Picken Junior Legacy grants over the first four years in support of some excellent junior programs. We’ll double that number with last year’s grants and this year’s grants – thanks to the help of Access Credit Union. We look forward each year to seeing the applications and learning about the great junior program work being done by volunteers in clubs across the province.”
Application information for the Bob Picken Junior Legacy Grants presented by Access Credit Union will be circulated to Manitoba curling club junior activities coordinators in the near future.
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For information contact: Craig Baker, CurlManitoba Executive Director
(204) 925-5725, [email protected]
