The 2018 Canola Junior Championship is being considered one of the most profitable in the history of the event. Hosted in Altona at the end of December, the championship made about $29,000 after expenses.

"Well it wasn't our goal, you know to say that, although in the back of our minds we thought with our history we should be able to achieve something along those lines," explained Committee Co-Chair, Al Friesen. Altona previously hosted the 2011 Provincial Scotties Tournament of Hearts which also was met with resounding success.

Friesen added that this record profit will be reinvested back into the community through various avenues.

$3,000 will go to the Altona Community Foundation in a show of partnership between ACF and the local curling community that's spanned several years and numerous project. Some of the proceeds earned during the 2011 Scotties also benefited ACF.

"In the past the Foundation has helped us with the cost of our ice plant (and) has helped us with the cost of our dehumidifier which is close to a forty-thousand dollar budget item," noted Friesen. "They give to us and we're giving back. We're parking it (the money) there for a while because things will come up and we'll ask for it again and we know (the board) will support us."

The rest of the money will directly benefit the curling community in Altona. "We hosted the Junior Curling Championship so we felt it made sense to focus on junior curling and the development of it," said Friesen.

$2,000 will be used to purchase technical training equipment for the local junior curling program.

Another $3,000 will be used to create the Canola Junior Legacy Fund to help junior curlers better access and afford clinic and camps.

Friesen added that this legacy fund will not only allow a chance for the sport to grow, but for people to further add to the pot and continue the legacy into the future.

$15,000 has also been set aside for long-awaited kitchen renovations to the Altona Curling Club.

The balance of the proceeds have been designated for other improvements that have yet to be determined.