Covid restrictions have prompted organizers of the annual Minto Bonspiel to postpone the event.

The bonspiel traditionally takes place the last weekend in January and usually attract between 20 and 25 rinks.

Hannah Beghin is on the Minto Recreation Facilities committee the group that hosts the bonspiel. She’s disappointed they had to call off the curling but hopes the bonspiel can still take place sometime this winter.

“With the current restrictions we figured it was best to postpone it until we can have larger gatherings. Hopefully the no tournament recommendation is lifted and we can curl this winter.”

Organizers hope the next set of public health orders expected out February 1st will allow them to hold the bonspiel. “We’re hoping after any restriction changes we could hold it in February or at the latest early March” said Beghin.

This year’s bonspiel only had a couple of entries but Hannah Beghin says entries usually come in over the last few days and she knows they’d of had a lot more people signing up over the week leading up to the bonspiel.

“We can make the bonspiel happen quickly. The ice looks great and as long as we can keep the natural ice going we’re good to go. Our community is good pitching in with meals and providing food. We should be able to pull it off with two weeks notice.”

“If it doesn’t happen by the first week of March the bonspiel probably wont take place” said Hannah Beghin.