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When Melville hosted Saskatchewan’s top curlers this past month, the ice wasn’t the only thing working overtime, dozens of volunteers stepped up behind the scenes to make the event a success.
From January 5-11, 2026, the CN Community Centre was home to the 2026 SaskTel Tankard Men’s Championship and the Bunge Prairie Pinnacle Women’s Championship, welcoming nine of Saskatchewan’s top men’s and women’s teams as they competed for the opportunity to represent the province on the national stage.
While the competition on the ice was intense, it was the volunteer effort off the ice that ensured the championships ran smoothly from start to finish.
From the early planning stages to the final shift, volunteers played a key role in an event that welcomed athletes, officials, and spectators from across Saskatchewan. Their commitment helped keep everything running smoothly, often behind the scenes, but always making a difference.
According to Barbara Hein, one of the volunteer coordinators, the response from the community was immediate. “Before we even got started, people were ready and willing to volunteer,” she said.
Volunteer recruitment began months in advance, with a registration night held early in the fall.
The response exceeded expectations, with more than 120 volunteers signing up, so many, in fact, that organizers eventually had to turn people away. Volunteers came not only from Melville, but from surrounding communities as well, with many stepping forward and committing their time well before the championships began.
The scale of the effort is reflected in the numbers shared by the City of Melville. Hosting the championships required a full year of planning, 10 planning meetings, and the dedication of 16 board members. In total, 128 community volunteers contributed more than 3,000 volunteer hours, supported by over 100 sponsors who were canvassed in person. Together, those efforts tell a powerful story of community commitment.
Once volunteers were registered, coordination became the next focus. Individuals were scheduled based on availability, physical ability, and preferred roles, whether that meant helping with raffles, security, 50/50 sales, hospitality, or other essential tasks. While it wasn’t always possible to place everyone in their first-choice role, flexibility was never an issue.
“People were very agreeable and easygoing,” Barbara shared. “If we asked someone to help somewhere else, they were more than willing.”
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