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The Westmounter

In the 1990s. I moved to Thunder Bay to work in the crew for the 2016 Women’s World Championship and
forestry industry; that’s where I started curling and the 2020 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
discovered a new passion. I got involved in the local
curling community, joining the Kakabeka Curling Club. Ice making is part art and part science, is it not?
Definitely. Greenskeepers and icemakers are cut
How did you go from curling recreationally to
learning a new trade as an ice technician? from the same cloth. You have to be a little anal to do
this job. Attention to detail is what really makes the
The skip on my team in Thunder Bay was one of the difference … and consistency. If you can throw the
icemakers. In 2008, the recession hit and I got let go. rock anywhere on the ice and it does the same thing,
With time on my hands, I started helping my teammate it makes the game more fun. The average club curler
with the ice. Soon, I headed west, finding a salaried cannot see the difference, but if you can make the ice
position working year-round on a small family farm in just that little bit better, everyone enjoys the game
Rosetown, a small hamlet known as “the Heart of the more since it’s not the ice that determines who wins
Wheatbelt” in rural Saskatchewan. I started curling or loses; it’s the players.
there and continued to hone my ice making skills in the
wintertime. I eventually took an ice technician course After so many years in the Prairies, why did you
in Moosejaw, SK. In the fall of 2015, I heard about an decide to return to Ontario and take the job at
opening in North Battlefield, SK. for a part-time ice Westmount?
maker, and I was successful in securing the position. My family was a big reason to return to Ontario. My

two sisters both have family farms in Ontario, and my
Earlier that same year, Curling Canada was recruiting
get to know staff to help at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. I was aging parents still live on their own on a 1-acre lot
outside Lindsay. I wanted to be closer to them to help
chosen for the ice making crew. That experience was
ian naismith a real eye-opener. I learned from the best in the world them out.
and saw what it is like at the next level. It made me
What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time?
want to be even better. Later I was on the ice making
OUR NEW ICE TECHNICIAN I love to tinker and stay busy. My dad has antique
farm tractors, so right now I’ve been helping him fix
these. I also love to golf and fish. I’m the type of guy
Prior to the start of the What were your first impressions of Westmount? who picks a couple of things to like and do them well.

2020-21 curling season, In early May, the course had just opened, and I drove “I feel very fortunate to have

The Westmounter sat down up the driveway for the first time. I immediately found a new position at such a
thought, ‘Did I make a wrong turn and end up in
with our new ice technician Augusta?’ “Wow” is the only way to describe what I felt. fabulous facility as Westmount.

Ian Naismith to learn more The place is just unbelievable. I am looking forward to the

about his career journey. Did you grow up curling? next chapter in my career.”

Ian is taking over from Al No, not at all. I was raised on a small family farm
outside Sutton, ON. on the shores of Lake Simcoe.
McKeag, who is staying During high school I loved playing hockey and lacrosse.

on to mentor him. When did you first get introduced to the sport?

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