For the second year in a row, Moose Jaw held a successful Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship at the Moose Jaw Curling Centre. 

Eleven teams competed last week including two teams each from Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Alberta and single teams from B.C., Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland/Labrador and Quebec. 

The games were well attended. Last year, there were 120 to 130 people at times that took in the curling from the Original 16 Founders Lounge. Host Committee chair Moose Gibson said this year that number more than doubled. 

“I can’t wait to let Curl Sask know and Curling Canada know that Moose Jaw may be the hot place for wheelchair curling in the country. It’s phenomenal numbers. I’m astounded that they more than doubled,” said Gibson. 

He added that those who came out were treated to some outstanding and competitive curling all week. 

“To me, it just proves that people want to come out and see good curling, whether it’s able-bodied or wheelchair curling. Some of the shots that were made this past week were phenomenal,” he said. 

Gibson gave a special shoutout to the staff at the Moose Jaw Events Centre. Mother Nature decided not to cooperate last Friday when Moose Jaw got a dumping of snow. Gibson said he got a lot of comments about how quickly crews cleared the parking lot, which becomes even more important when you are dealing with athletes with disabilities. 

“Every single curler that came into the club said thank you for having the parking lot clear and they thought it was fantastic, so it’s the little things that mean the most,” Gibson said. 

Team Saskatchewan 1 of Gil Dash, Marie Wright, Gibson, Sheryl Pederson and coach Lorraine Arguin won the event, defeating Team Newfoundland/Labrador 7-6 in an extra end in the final. 

It was a historic win as Dash, Wright and Arguin broke records, winning their five national titles. For Gibson, this was his fourth title. 

“They’ve been such an integral part of not only wheelchair curling but curling in general in Moose Jaw for several years. I can’t think of three better representatives for the sport of curling,” Gibson said. 

Pederson moved from Team Saskatchewan 2 to Team Saskatchewan 1 this season and picked up her first national title. 

“I think she was a little nervous moving from the second team to the first team, but boy she fit right in. She’s a trooper and she and I shared a few cheers on the ice after the game,” Gibson said. 

The 2025 Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship will take place April 25 to May 4. The location will be announced by Curling Canada at a later date.