For the second time in a three year period, Manitoba's top junior curlers will have the opportunity compete on Arena ice when the 2018 Canola Junior Championships are played in Altona.

The official announcement was made January 1, 2017 during the Official Opening Ceremony of the 2017 Canola Juniors at the Pembina Curling Club in Winnipeg which is co-hosting this year's Canola Junior Men's and Women's championships with the St. Vital Curling Club.

"Rivers took a chance on playing the 2016 Canola Juniors in their curling club and the adjacent arena," explained CurlManitoba Executive Director Craig Baker. "It was a great success and a great experience for the curlers. We are excited to have another opportunity to provide our juniors with an arena curling experience."

Previously, Altona 's Sunflower Gardens was the site of the 2011 Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts won by Cathy Overton-Clapham.

"With eight sheets of curling ice, four in the Sunflower Gardens Arena and four in the adjacent curling facility, all under the same roof, this is a perfect venue for a combined Junior Men's and Junior Women's championship event," says Altona Host Committee Co-Chairs Al Friesen and Keith Stoesz "This will be an opportunity for the elite juniors to play on arena ice in preparation for a Canadian Championship. It will be just as special, maybe even more special, for the young curlers who get to play on arena curling ice conditions for perhaps the only time in their lives. We look forward to hosting all of them."

The 2018 Canola Junior Championships will be played in Altona, December 26-31, 2017.

"We are looking forward to being in Altona for the Championship," said President Charles Fossey, on behalf of Manitoba Canola Growers, CurlManitoba's much valued junior championships sponsor. "We are honoured to be associated with, and to support, these fine young Manitoba athletes. From a business perspective, it is an excellent opportunity to introduce our healthy canola products to young people who are making important personal nutrition decisions."