Longtime Estevan curler Kapiczowski inducted into Legends of Curling Honour Roll

Bill Kapiczowski is living proof that curling is a lifetime sport.

The longtime Estevan resident just hit his 80th birthday, and is still heavily involved in the roaring game. His contributions to the sport were recognized by the Estevan Curling Club and CurlSask on Thursday morning, as Kapiczowski was inducted into the Legends of Curling Honour Roll.

"I'm really at a loss for words," said Kapiczowski, who played, coached, and was also an icemaker. "It's definitely an honour, it's humbling, it's all those things."

"You don't go into something like this expecting that down the road I'm going to be recognized. You just do something that you like doing. I liked curling, I liked the work that I did there, and it's just a wonderful feeling when everybody recognizes the effort that you put in."

Kapiczowski still curls three days a week, including playing with Estevan Curling Club Manager Pauline Ziehl-Grimsrud on Thursday nights at the Estevan club.

Pauline Ziehl-Grimsrud with Bill Kapiczowski after the awards presentation. (Photo credit: Nolan Kowal)

"For a decade, he was the head icemaker here at the Estevan Curling Club. His knowledge, skills, and tricks of the trade are still used today, because he is selfless in volunteering his time to install, maintain and remove our ice at our curling club," said Ziehl-Grimsrud. "His knowledge is so vast and he's willing to share it with anybody."

"He's an exceptionally hard worker, he's organized, he's punctual, and he's very particular. He does a great job and you'll see him out there already I'm sure, or you'll see him this week...thank him for his wonderful work," she added.

Kapiczowski, who grew up in North Portal, said winning the Teachers Provincial Championship was a highlight of his curling career.

"The only time we reached a championship was with the teachers...they used to have a provincial playoff and a provincial title," said Kapiczowski, who taught at Estevan Comprehensive School for 31 years. "We won the Teachers Provincial Championship and for me I guess that probably had to be a highlight."

Kapiczowski was honoured during a lunch at the Wylie Mitchell Building, in between draws at the SaskTel Men's Tankard next door at Affinity Place.

"Just one big thank you to the curling club, to Pauline, and all those wonderful comments that were made," he said.