Many readers of this newspaper may well remember Jared Wannamaker as the ever smiling, always helpful and congenial manager of the Gibsons SuperValu. In the early hours of Aug. 7, 2021, Jared passed away suddenly in his home in Roberts Creek. And with that sad reality, the Sunshine Coast lost a valued and very fondly recognized young man of the community.
Many though wouldn’t know that Jared was also a talented athlete. Among his varied athletic endeavours, his love of curling was an important part of his life. He was a teenage champion and competed in many curling bonspiels around the province and even curled internationally, in Japan, in 2003.
Anyone who knew Jared as a curler knew him to be both passionate about the game, and fiercely competitive. Throughout the province, those who knew Jared as a good curler, also knew him as enthusiastically loud on the ice. The Gibsons Curling Club has never been quite the same since Jared’s passing.
But, the Gibsons Curling Club has taken a step to ensure that Jared’s name will never be lost to our game, or to the community. His family and the club have created a curling bonspiel in Jared’s name. The inaugural Jared Wannamaker Memorial Open Spiel will be held at the Gibsons Curling Club from Friday, Jan. 19 to Sunday, Jan. 21.
More than that though, the Gibsons Curling Club and Jared’s family have created the Jared Wannamaker Memorial Bursary for School District 46. It will first be presented at the Elphinstone High School Graduation Ceremonies on the Sunshine Coast this spring. Aimed at students involved in sports going either into sport or business management, this award will annually ensure that Jared’s memory will endure here on the Sunshine Coast for years to come. There’s even going to be a live auction to raise funds for the bursary fund on Saturday evening at the Curling Club. All are welcome to come and watch the curling and participate in the live auction if you wish.
