New Zealand national curling team bids farewell to Calgary retirement residence roommates
A group of New Zealand curlers living in a Calgary retirement residence are heading home.
In September, the national team struck a deal to live at the Chartwell Colonel Belcher Retirement Residence during their Calgary stay.
The curlers, more than 50 years younger than many of their roommates, say their time inside the home has been incredible.
"To be honest, we're just really integrated into this family here," skip Anton Hood said.
"It's been amazing and really heartwarming for us."
Hood says it's like staying with his own grandparents – 175 of them.
"We're just walking down the hallway and saying hello to everyone," he said.
The curlers and residents gathered for a farewell party on Thursday.
Flags were hung, cake was made and a lot of goodbye hugs were exchanged.
"There were a lot of residents down there, which was awesome to see," second Brett Sargon said.
"We loved it."
So did the residents.
Bertha Esplen, 97, can't talk about the team without smiling.
"Oh my goodness," she said.
"Words cannot do justice to how they acted towards us and how we acted towards them. They just feel like my own children."
In the fall, the New Zealanders came to Calgary to practise and learn more about the game.
They say their off-ice fun rivals their time on the ice.
"We didn't win as much as we wanted," Hood told CTV News.
"But we're going to the Worlds (in Switzerland) in a few weeks and feel good about how we're playing."
After that, it'll be some downtime back home before another stint in Calgary come autumn.
"We'd stay here again in a heartbeat," Hood said.
"It’s warm, lovely and the people are great. You can't complain at all."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
'Be very, very careful': Wildfire conditions 'still extreme,' says Alberta fire chief
As wildfire conditions remain 'extreme' in northern Alberta, residents are being urged to be extra cautious and follow a fire ban.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Canucks' Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosscheck on Oilers' McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been given the highest possible fine under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
COMING UP @ 3:30 P.M. City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate outside of taxi bylaw, judge rules
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
Jerry Seinfeld speech prompts pro-Palestinian demonstration at U.S. university graduation ceremony
A tiny contingent of Duke University graduates opposed pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their commencement in North Carolina Sunday, with about 30 of the 7,000 students leaving their seats and chanting "free Palestine" amid a mix of boos and cheers.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.