By Wally Donaldson
The Oshawa Express

As the curling season unfolds for another campaign, hope springs eternal for the competitive athletes with visions of grandeur. They might have their sights set on knocking off highly-touted Glenn Howard in a provincial final or sending Toronto Curling Association (TCA) ladies champion Lianne Robertson packing.
For all the hopes and dreams of curlers as the skip, vice, second and lead step onto the pebbled ice, there is a starting point.
And it begins with the Ontario Curling Association (OCA) club playdowns, followed by Zone, Regional and the ultimate final and for some event, a national and even world berth. And there is, of course, the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Durham Region curling clubs will be busy playing host to some of these events this campaign.
The start for Zone 6 in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts begins with the Zone playdowns December 4-6 at the Annandale Curling Club in Ajax. The Regional goes December 11-13 in Kingston with the final January 4-10 in Thunder Bay. The National champion will be crowned Jan. 30-Feb. 7 in Sault Ste. Marie followed by the Ford World Women’s Championship March 20-28 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
Oshawa Golf and Curling Club will be hosting the Zone playdowns for the Pepsi Junior Men and Women November 21-23. Regional playdowns are in Thornhill November 28-29 with the provincial final in Teeswater January 2-6. The advancement to the Nationals is January 16-24 in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec and the World title is to be contested March 6-14 in Flims, Switzerland.

Zone playdowns for the Dominion Senior Men and Women are November 21-23 at Toronto Tam Heather, followed by the Regional playdowns December 12-13 at the Port Perry Community Curling Club. The Provincial final is January 20-24 in Orillia, followed by the Nationals in Ottawa March 20-28 and World Seniors April 16-24 in Chelyabinsk, Russia.
The Best Western Challenge for women and Fairfield Marriott Challenge for men begins with Zone playdowns January 9-12 at the Oshawa Curling Club. The Provincial women’s final in Prince Edward and the men in Brighton and Trenton will be played January 22-24.
As for the Men’s time of year, it begins with the Zone playdowns December 4-6 at the Annandale club, followed by the Regional January 2-3 in Minden and Provincial February 1-7 in Napanee.
Tim Horton’s Brier is March 6-14 in Halifax, Nova Scotia and the Capital One World Men’s Championship April 3-11 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Bantam Boys and Girls Zone playdowns are January 9-12 in Uxbridge, followed by the Regionals January 16-17 in Weston and final February 3-6 in Gananoque. There is also the Ontario Winter Games March 4-6 in Gravenhurst.
Tim Hortons Master Men and Women Zone playdowns are January 12-15 in Sutton, followed by the Regionals January 30-31 in Port Perry and the final February 17-20 in Renfrew.
Oshawa Curling Club will play host to the Zone playdowns for the Gore Mutual School Boy and School Girl competitions January 22. Regional is at Toronto High Park January 30-31 and the final February 18-21 in St. Thomas.
Best Western Intermediate Men and Women Zone playdowns are set for February 6-8 at the Oshawa Golf and Curling Club with the Regionals February 27-28 in Bancroft and the final March 10-13 in Fergus.
Junior Bantam and Mixed Zone playdowns are February 13-14 in Unionville with the Regionals March 13-14 at the Oshawa Curling Club and the final March 31-April 3 in Ilderton.