“If you really play it by the rules, it’s a really fun and strategic game that is different than any other game.”

She said after the game was built last year and the design plans were made available online, crokicurl rinks have been popping up across the country from Edmonton to Moose Jaw and Saskatoon.

A crokicurl How-to

McDonough said if this weekend’s tournaspiel is successful, he could see neighbourhood groups around the city building their own crokicurl surfaces in future years. After it’s been done once, projects like this are much easier to duplicate, he said.

“It’s just about creating a richer cultural life. It’s fun.”

McDonough, who works at the City of Guelph, said the crokicurl idea is just like the Riverside ice trail concept that was made a reality a few weeks ago. He said anyone with an idea — however wild or out there — should feel encouraged to float it by parks staff.

“When they see something interesting that will add some life to the city recreation facilities and parks, they jump on board and try to see what they can do.”

Heather Flaherty, the city's general manager of parks and recreational programming, said city staff will be working with the community group to put this weekend's crokicurl facility together. If the pilot project works out, she said infrastructure could be put in place for a longer-term crokicurl site next winter.

"As these initiatives come up, it may not be part of a work plan but it's part of what we do," she said, encouraging anyone with outdoor recreational ideas to bring them to city staff.

When approached with an idea that fits with the city's goals and doesn't have huge financial or infrastructure implications, "if my team can use their professional expertise to lend some guidance, technical support and even just a rah-rah support, we're happy to do that."

Teams of two to four players can sign up for the tournaspiel on Sunday by registering online. The cost is $40 per team. All proceeds will go to the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington’s Free to Play program.

Visit guelphcurlingclub.com for details.