In 2025, Curl BC and the Pacific International Cup (PIC) Legacy Committee collaborated to establish a fund called the “Jim Schuman Curling Club Assistance Program” (CAP) as a vehicle to lend money to affiliated curling facilities in financial need. This fund commemorates the memory of PIC founder and Chair, Jim Schuman, who always put club curling first during his 20 years as volunteer Chair of the PIC event.

Loans will be considered for funding to purchase/repair equipment fundamental to the operation of a curling club. As the fund grows, loans will also be considered for structural repairs or physical improvements to a club’s building or for programs to help sustain the viability of the facility.

CAP loans will be approved on the basis of the viability of the proposed project. The club’s business plan for re-payment of the loan over a five-year period will be the primary factor in the approval. Other considerations will be financial need (the need to go ahead with the project in order to ensure the survival of the club) and the potential for the growth of the sport in the community.

Curling Clubs applying for a Jim Schuman Curling Club Assistance Program loan will be expected to provide at least two quotes from reputable contractors or distributors and a detailed business plan for the use of funds in support of continued operations at the club.

Approval Process

Initially, loans will be for a maximum of $10,000. Curl BC’s CEO will review requests with Curl BC’s Finance & Audit Committee. Applications will be accepted both on a long-term and a shorter-term “emergency” basis. Based on the number of applications received in any one loan period, the Finance & Audit Committee will have the authority to recommend or reject any application or to recommend a loan for a portion of the amount requested.

Availability of Loans

Curl BC’s CEO and the Curl BC Finance & Audit Committee will operate under the following guidelines established by the Board of Governors:

• A maximum of $50,000 in total outstanding loans at any time. A $50,000 reserve will be maintained for emergency use in case an emergency loan is required and all other funds are currently in loans. The reserve will be re-established before the next loan cycle is started.
• The maximum loan to any one affiliated curling club will be $10,000.
• All loans will carry a variable rate financing of prime minus 1% and be repayable over a five-year term.
• All loans are open-ended loans and can be repaid with no penalty prior to the end of the loan term.

Application Process

Each application must be accompanied by:

• Organization
  • Description of the project
  • Club investment in the project
  • Minimum of two quotes or suitable business plan, and
• Club Management
  • Financial Statements for the past three years
  • Fundraising projects
  • Ability to repay loan
  • Club fee schedule (3 years)
  • Confirmation that property taxes are current
  • Description of recent attempts to increase membership
  • Evidence of satisfactory insurance
  • Description of preventative maintenance programs for building and ice plant
  • Implementation of Curl BC’s suite of Safe Sport policies

 To secure a loan, the execution of a security document with legal security of assets (normally club curling stones) may be required to guarantee the loan.