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Enduring friendships made at historic Barrie Curling Club

At one time, Barrie had two curling clubs, which eventually amalgamated in 1931

From the frozen waters of Kempenfelt Bay to the friendly and cozy confines of 175 Essa Rd., curling has almost a century-and-a-half of history in Barrie.

With the Barrie Curling Club coming up on its sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) in 2027, the not-for-profit club has a long history of curling camaraderie both on and off the ice.

Canada’s winter sport isn’t just about long looks down the ice, barking out ‘hurry hard!’ and sweeping; it’s about friendships and good, old-fashioned exercise, according to club manager Melanie Hughes.

She says the sport is growing in leaps and bounds, in no small part to high-profile area curlers — think Brent Laing, Glenn Howard, Jennifer Jones, Wayne Middaugh, Sherry Middaugh and others — who are huge on the Canadian and international curling scenes.

“To harness the popularity of television coverage for national and international events — the Brier, Tournament of Hearts, Olympics, Grand Slams, etc. — it’s important for local clubs to have an avenue for people to try the sport in a welcoming atmosphere, then give them a taste of the curling experience,” Hughes says.

“For us, we are lucky to have a volunteer base that knows how to communicate their love of the sport to others, so we’ve been able to maintain a healthy membership.”

Curling is strong in Simcoe County, doing well in Canada and exploding internationally, she adds.

“In Ontario, there is a strong competitive junior circuit. The Barrie Curling Club hosted the Stu Sells U-18 Tankard in 2018 and 2019, which included under-18 age teams from Ontario, Quebec and the United States with 34 teams taking part in 2018 and 40 teams in 2019,” Hughes says. “There are many opportunities for adults to participate in recreational, fundraising and competitive curling all season long. So, there is something available locally, for all ages and abilities.”

She says the Olympic cycle of curling has given rise to interest in the sport internationally.

“Popularity at the grassroots level is particularly strong in the U.S., where we hear of dedicated curling-only facilities breaking ground in places you would not necessarily expect to hear about. The American teams have been doing well at every Olympics since the early 2000s, with the men’s team taking the gold medal in 2018.

“As an aside, it was very exciting when that same men’s team dropped by the our club for a quick practice session in October while en route to a Grand Slam event in North Bay.”

According to former Barrie Curling Club building fund chairman Harry Armstrong, the club was formed in 1877 (with games being played on Kempenfelt Bay) and a charter was granted, leading to sheets of ice being located in a few locations around the city.

“In 1899, the first club was constructed on the (former site of Barrie Collegiate) on the side of the skating rink. In 1902, the Barrie Curling and Athletic Club was incorporated and built a 165-by-68-foot frame rink on the corner of Clapperton and Sophia streets and the users paid rent for the use of the facility: $200 for the season in 1932”, Armstrong states in his historical memoirs, adding it “appears” to have been a four-sheet facility shared with the Barrie Thistle Club using two sheets and the Barrie Curling and Athletic Club the other two sheets.

In 1931, the two clubs amalgamated.

Eventually, after talks with the Barrie Agricultural Society, the Essa Road facility was created in the early 1950s and in 1953, artificial ice was brought into the mix, making for a longer curling season.

Years passed, improvements were made and then on a Friday afternoon in May 1985 the club would endure — and survive — its greatest challenge.

“The 1985 Barrie Tornado removed a major portion of the roof and damaged the lounge and kitchen,” Armstrong says in his historical notes. “During the reconstruction, a fire ignited by a welding torch caused significant damage. Throughout the disasters the members prevailed and no curling time was lost.”

The camaraderie of curling has also prevailed over the years.

Just why are curlers so darned friendly, Hughes is asked.

“They are not just friendly,” she says with a chuckle. “I’ve known many romantic matches that started as on-ice friendships. That environment brings people of all backgrounds and walks of life together on the same level, literally and socially. Then, after the game is over, of course we now have something in common to discuss.

“Curling at the club level is generally a sport where people want to play their best while they’re on the ice and then — win or lose — they’re able to park it and have a laugh or two once the game is over.”

Barrie Curling Club members and community support allowed for new ice rink pipes and flooring to be replaced in 2019 as well as a revamped upstairs lounge.

“Our club sits on the shoulders of many wonderful volunteers,” Hughes says.

— With files from the Barrie Curling Club/Harry Armstrong

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Ian McInroy

About the Author: Ian McInroy

Ian McInroy is an award-winning photographer and journalist with more than 30 years in the industry
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