Executive Registration Weekly Schedule News Upcoming Events Bonspiels Men's Provincial Playdowns   Leagues Men's Ladies Juniors Mixed Fun League Other Curling Links	Junior Ladies Association Playdowns The Junior Ladies playdowns were a huge success. Teams from Thunder Bay, Stratton, Nipigon, Sioux Lookout, Kakabeka Falls, Balmertown and Marathon competed for the two spots in the provincial playdowns. There were two Marathon teams: the Brandi Mahaney rink which finished with a 3-2 record and the Cindy Pick team which finished with a 1-3 record. The Kallos team, from the Fort William Curling Club, won their playoff game Saturday night in a close game against Angela Lee from Stratton. The win gave them first place and a spot in the provincial playoffs as 'Team A' from Northwestern Ontario. The Scharf team, also from the Fort William Curling Club won their playoff game Sunday morning against Angela Lee of Stratton to advance to the provincial playoffs in Dryden as 'Team B'. Other results from the competition include: Lee vs Pick 9-2 Lee vs Benes 13-2 Lee vs Scharf 9-2 Foulds vs Whalen 9-5 Foulds vs Risi 6-4 Foulds vs Mahaney 8-7 Foulds vs Midak 13-7 Mahaney vs Kallos 11-3 Mahaney vs Whalen 11-4 Mahaney vs Midak 11-2 Scharf vs Benes 9-4 Scharf vs Pick 11-1 Risi vs Mahaney 8-7 Risi vs Whalen 9-2 Risi vs Midak 12-5 Kallos vs Risi 9-8 Kallos vs Midak 13-0 Kallos vs Foulds 9-2 Kallos vs Whalen 13-5 Scharf vs Ketonen 10-0 Ketonen vs Pick 11-5 Benes vs Ketonen 9-7 Pick vs Benes 7-2 Note: Not all scores are posted.
	The Marathon Mercury, Tuesday, November 9, 1999. Marathon recreation, facility survey: Swimming most popular; curling club most efficient Swimming is the number one choice for organized recreation activity in Marathon. This result comes from a survey conducted in connection with the recent Marathon Recreation Facility Alternative Use and Service Restructuring Study. Over 1,695 surveys were distributed in Marathon and there were 69 responses - or about a four per cent return rate - which is deemed 'satisfactorily significant.' The survey requested residents to list the three most important organized activities and swimming topped the list at 35. This was followed by golf - 26; hockey - 21; curling - 16; skiling (downhill) - 13; skiing (cross-country) 12; soccer - 12; bowling - nine; darts, figure skating and softball - all five and martial arts - two. The report notes that swimming was also a 'strong choice' of residents - 25 - in the unorganized activities as well. Walking lead the way in this category with 38 respondents followed by fishing - 25; camping - 23; golfing -22; tv - 18; volunteer work - 17; dog walking - 14; gardening - 13; internet - 13; cycling - 13; hiking - 13; hunting - 13, etc. The vast majority - 84 per cent - of residents feel there are adequate recreational facilities in Marathon. 58 respondents agreed there were adequate opportunities while only none said there were not. Curling is the best run activity. 14 respondents indicated this in the survey. The second best was golf and hockey tied at 12 followed by cross - country and swimming at nine; soccer at seven; figure skating at three, etc. The report says the above results should cause thought to those who think the town should operate as many facilities as it does now. "Overall, it was the Marathon Curling Club, a private club, not a town operated facility that proved to be the most efficient overall when it came to performance." 69 per cent - or 40 respondents - indicated the curling club shoud be a model for other activities. "If the surveyed are to be belieced then the dominant club, the curling club, would be the model for recreation." Outside of the arena/pool complex, a majority of respondents think the user groups should be responsible for the day - to - day operation of the facilities, fiscal responsibilities and maintenance. Of all the activities listed most respondents felt that user fees are applicable. Swimming was second from the bottom of this list at 17. The majority of residents felt that clubs or user groups should make up operating deficits by fundraising, sweat equity, increased user fees, sponsors and so. The vast majority also agreed that using government loans or grants were to be avoided. In other words, taxpayer funding is a 'very tender area to residents'. The survey also said that the Moose and the Legion were the most recognizable supporters of local youth sports groups. "These results," the report states," clearly shows that local commerce does not exploit marketing opportunities by supporting local sport."
	The Marathon Mercury, Tuesday, October 5, 1999. To participate in Men's Provincial Playdowns: 40 people attend Level One curling official seminar Approximately 40 people turned out last Saturday at the Marathon Curling Club to take a one - day Level One curling officiating course. These new officials will be the governing bodies during the Ontario Provincial Playdowns scheduled to be hosted by the Marathon club in February, 2000. Dale Svenkeson, one of the volunteeer supervisors for the event, said he was 'pleased with the turnout as we will need about 40 officials to cover the event properly' "Each draw will require at least 13 officials....four timers, four hog line officials, four on ice supervisors and one head official," Svenkeson said. "There'll be lots of curling but I think today's turnout will ensure we have sufficient qualified officials." The one - day seminar was conducted by Bill Charlebois of Thunder Bay. Charlebois is a long - time curling official and has participated in the Briar and Worlds' event. The seminar covers the basic rules of curling and includes lectures, workbook exercises and a written test at the end. "We have both dedicated and casual curlers attending the seminar," Svenkeson said. "But, I think they are all starting off at the same point. Even though someone has been curling for many years there are a lot of rules, believe me, that even dedicated curlers are not well versed on." Svenkeson said that the seminar should result in Marathon having sufficient qualified and competent officials who are 'both confortable with the authority behind the rules'. "You can bet there are going to be a lot of close calls during the playdowns and this seminar will teach the participants not only how to make those close calls but also how to professionally handle any questions or concerns resulting from the calls." The curling club has been working with Rod Lewis, of Regina, on installing 'jet ice' for this season. Ken Stewart said the jet ice is made from de - ionized water which is a precess that removes all the minerals and impurities from the water. "The end result is we will have faster, harder and more consistent ice. This'll be a big plus for the club." Lloyd Stansall, the well known icemaker from Nipigon, will install the ice once everything is levelled out. Svenkeson said the other committees - about 10 in all - are hard at work and 'things are gradually falling into place for the playdowns'. "A lot has been done already and there's still quite a bit to do yet. Things should start getting intensive in December and January. We're still looking for volunteers, it anyone has any spare time and would like to make a contribution or participate in the playdowns they can contact me, Ken Stewart or Mike Callahan." Svenkeson said he expects the playdowns will be a 'good show for curlers and non - curlers alike'. "There will be world class curling here in Marathon. And, who knows, if you come out to watch, you might be watching the next world champion curler right here in Marathon."