CLUB HISTORY
Mission Statement
• To increase participation in curling in Red Deer and the surrounding area by promoting it as a healthy, affordable and an active lifestyle
• To offer an exceptional facility that can accommodate the curling, social, recreational and business needs of our community.
• To promote adaptation and modification of curling to include those of all ages and abilities.
• To provide equal opportunity employment and training.
History of Curling in Red Deer
Curling has a storied history in Red Deer, dating back before the turn of the 20th century. The first curling games in Red Deer were played on the ice of the Red Deer River. Modified jam cans were sometimes used as curling rocks. In 1898, matches were moved to a small outdoor rink on Morrison (52nd) Street. Water hauled from the river was used to flood the ice.
In November 1902, the Red Deer Rink Co. Ltd. purchased six lots on which to build a covered skating and curling rink, but construction was not actually commenced until the fall of 1903. The structure, built at an estimated cost of $3,000, provided a skating surface of 175 feet by 60 feet and space on the north side for two sheets of curling ice 175 feet by 36 feet.
In 1913, the local curlers decided that the old rink had become hopelessly inadequate. The Curling Club then formed a joint-stock company, sold $4,000 in shares and built a large extension onto the existing rink. This was the building which served Red Deer’s curlers for the next forty years. (1953)
On January 28, 1954, the current 8 sheet facility officially opened with an 86 year old veteran of the club delivering the first rock. A new era for Red Deer’s curlers began.
Soon after the Westerner was complete, the Red Deer Curling Club helped to bring recognition to both the Westerner and the City of Red Deer with the 1994 Labatt Brier. Local profits from this venture, and fund raising provided the bulk of the funding for the renovations of front end of the curling rink, completed in 1995.
The Red Deer Curling Club continued its goal of promoting curling and the City of Red Deer, this time bringing world wide recognition to the City of Red Deer by hosting the 1996 World Junior curling championships, in March of 1996.
Red Deer‘s is in the National spotlight again with the wildly successful 2004 Scott Tournament of Hearts, arguably the most successful Scott’s according to the Canadian Curling Association.
Our morning, afternoon, evening, weekend leagues and bonspiels add up to over 4,500 games per season with approximately 1,300 members and thousands of curling visitors as well as their families and friends.
In 2012, the Red Deer Curling Centre expanded the number of sheets from eight (8) to twelve (12). The new build provided additional opportunities for not only curling but other active lifestyles. In keeping with our mission statement we strive to provide a community facility for curling, social, recreational and business groups to use and enjoy. Eliminating the sand base floor and installing an efficient concrete surface enables us to create Brier quality ice as well as off season possibilities offering an affordable venue for a multitude of regional, provincial and national events.
