About Us
SINCE 1975
- THE OLDS CURLING CLUB -
Curling in Olds goes back over one hundred years to when the first settlers came to the area in the early 20th century. The current facility, located in the Olds Sportsplex (5133 - 52 Street), is the third indoor curling rink to be built in town. The first was built in 1916 on the site which is now the paved parking lot behind Sim's Furniture Store. It was torn down in 1948 and a new rink was built in the area of the current Sportsplex. The great fire of November 1, 1978 destroyed the curling rink, the ice arena and two grain elevators. The current Sportsplex, which we now call home, was built in 1980.
The Olds Curling Club, officially operating since 1975, is home to over 300 curlers of all ages and has a mission to provide great curling experiences for all enthusiasts! As the popularity of curling in our community continues to grow, check out the Olds Curling Club Strategic Plan. If you have feedback, suggestions or ideas, please talk to an executive member or send us an e-mail.
RINK HISTORY
From "Olds: a History of Olds and area"
The history of curling here is nearly as old as the town itself. According to the Gazette, in 1924 the curlers were enlarging their rink and were invited to bring hammer and saw and be ready to start pounding nails on the first stroke of the one o'clock bell on Friday. The curling rink of that period was located just west of the present site of the Lutheran Church, on 52nd Street. On the north side of it was the skating rink. One well provided water to make the ice for both facilities.
While some forms of entertainment flourished, it seems that in general the participation in sports declined during the l930s. In February 1931, the Gazette grumbled, "Curling is as dead as a doornail this winter. There have been four sheets of ice available since first freeze-up but only a dozen games have been played, no doubt because there are too many other social attractions."
INTERESTED IN OUR CLUB'S OPERATIONS?
Why not get involved?! Volunteers are the backbone of this club. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, give back to the community, and promote a worthwhile activity. Without volunteers, there would be no Olds Curling Club. Interested in helping out? Contact us for more information about volunteer opportunities.
Our Honourary Lifetime Members contributed as curlers, helped build the club, or served as Goodwill Ambassadors to improve, develop or enhance the image of the Olds Curling Club. Thank you to all our Honourary Life Members.
1950 - H.A. (Herb) Samis
1961 - O.R. (Orne) Hedges
1962 - J.H. (Jack) Kemp
1963 - Glen Warren
1963 - Lou Clarahan
1964 - Mac McLeod
1974 - M.R. (Mert) Buehler
1977 - Roland Benedict
1987 - Ralph Maybank
1987 - Stub Dodd
1994 - Ralph Richards
1994 - Fred Notley
1998 - Ken Gillrie
2002 - Leonard Turnbull
2006 - Gerry Shindeler
2009 - Garrett Funkhouser
2011 - Dennis Roemmele
2018 - Dale Holmes
2022 - Brian Krall
2023 - Larry Flessatti
EXECUTIVE MEMBERS 2023-2024
Building
Dereck Doi
Rick Phillips
Jeff Miller
Ice Scheduler
Rick Phillips
Communications
Kayla Notley
Advertising
Rick Phillips
Key Controller
Justin Shantz
Finance
Kat Richards
Gary Gaudette
Casino Coordinator
Wayne Heikkinen
Gary Gaudette
Henry Czarnota