Club HistoryThe Sylvan Curling Club has been throwing rocks down it’s ice in this community for around 100 years. Below is a history of curling in Sylvan Lake put together by John Walsh from historical files and minutes of the curling executive meetings over the years.
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MeetingsAnnual General Meeting
Our next annual general meeting will be held at The Viewpoint Lounge upstairs in the NexSource Centre on September 29th at 7:00. Please come out and join us for an update on the curling season and to have your input into how the club is run. Also, there will be a few positions available on the Board of Directors if you have a bit of time and interest in helping this club be successful. Our next Club Executive meeting is: Executive meetings are regularly held at 7:00 on the second Sunday of each month in the Viewpoint lounge. All members are always welcome to attend and participate. Should you require answers or to ask a particular question of the Club’s Executive and can not attend, please email us at sylvanlakecurling@gmail.com. Note; over the summer (or off-season) the Club’s executive will only meet when concerns arise. However, all are kept up to date via regular communication and should minor concerns arise, they are dealt with via email correspondence. |
Our Journey!
Curling Club History 1928 to the present Day
February 15 1928
Inaugural meeting held at Sylvan Hotel, 15 members present.
May 9 1928
Site for curling club was decided upon at the North West corner of Main Street and 48th Avenue. Purchased from Alexander Loiselle for the sum of $400.00
October 1928
Two sheet natural ice curling rink constructed. 32 members raised $825.00 by purchasing shares in the club.
1928-1953
Curling rink and waiting rooms used by the community as a Community Centre for meetings and social functions
March 30th 1939
The Club set up a trust fund for new curling facility, at this stage there was no mention of it to include a Community Hall. Fund raising, via bonds, donations and events continued during the war and the fund continued to grow.
May 19th 1944
The proposal to transfer the Curling Club Property, (48thAvenue), to the Village of Sylvan Lake, as Trustees was discussed and agreed. The question of Title was raised and members were assured the clubs future was secure. By this time it is evident that the Curling Club members, who were members of council, were very active curlers and were also very active in promoting the clubs involvement in developing the Towns future.
1944-1950
Sylvan Lake Community Centre Committee was established. The committee consisted of members of Sylvan Lake Curling Club, The Kinsmen and Town Council most of whom were also members of the curlingclub. All proceeds from fund raising were directed to the Community Centre Fund. It is clear that by now there was a real drive on to raise funds to purchase an alternative site to build a Community Centre that would form part of the curling club facility. It was also evident that the majority of the propulsion came from the members of the Kinsmen, Sylvan Lake Curling Club and the Town Council, although this project needed the help of all residents no matter what organization they represented. It is interesting to note that the Town did go on record as saying that they will donate $1000.00 towards the purchase of the new site.
April 12th 1950
It was agreed that once the new facility was completed, the Curling Club would turn the old Curling rink building at 48th Avenue over to the Town for use as indoor skating facility. Waiting rooms were turned over to the Town to be used as a scout hut. This partnering is still evidenced today where the Scouts still use facilities in the Arena. It was also agreed the new site and facility together with the land at 48th Avenue would be turned over to the Town in Trust with a promise of a 99 year lease.
July 12th 1950
The present site of the Curling Club and Swimming pool was registered in trust to the Town of Sylvan Lake
October 4th 1950
The Club took out a Bank loan of $5000.00 and included Club funds for the project. Club members endorsed the bank loan. The finance to build the new Community Hall in large was donated by the Curling Club, the Kinsmen and donations from local business and local citizens.
May 30th 1961
Title of new site transferred in full to the Town of Sylvan Lake.
April 10th 1963
This was the last dated entry in the minutes of 1963; it discussed installing artificial ice. During the month of April and May $5100.00 was raised by members of the club, from the sale of $100.00 shares. This was used as a deposit on a bank loan of $56,000.00 to pay for the installation of artificial ice and all that goes with it. The artificial ice was installed.
November 13th 1963
A twenty year lease was granted to the Curling Club on the new facility and site. I imagine that many of the hard working folks of the last 35 years were upset they did not get the promised 99 year lease.
1980
New lease 1980-1983 signed and club took over complete operation.
1984
Town agreed for Club to purchase facility for $1.00.
1986
A new agreement was signed and club purchased the facility for $1.00. A further bank loan of $55,000.00 for additions and renovations was made; loan repaid. At this time the Town had developed the new Community Hall at Four Seasons Park and had no further use for the Community Centre over the Curling Club. The hall came as part of the package and became an integral feature of the clubs facilities. It was used for banquets during bonspiels and for many other social events for the community.
1997
Two projects were undertaken during the next 12 months, a large addition and new lighting in the rinks for which a $70,000.00 loan was obtained.
1997
Later that year the Town approached the curling club to buy back the land and the building in order to make way for a new Multi-Million Dollar Commercial, Hotel and Recreational facility. Following lengthy negotiation a Lease agreement was negotiated and signed between the Curling Club, the Town giving the Curling Club security for the next 50 years. The Town purchased the land and building back from the Curling Club for $1.00. The Town also agreed to pay the recent lawful debt of $70,000.00 in order to proceed with plans for a new Mall development. Contained in the agreement was a clause stating that the Curling Club would get a new club building as good as if not better than the present building.
1999
The developer went bust so now there is confusion as to the position the club is in with the Town.
July 6 2000
A report was received, on an inspection carried out on June 30th 2000 on behalf of the Town by PFM Engineering of Lloydminster. The building was found to be unsafe. This resulted in the Town advising the club, quite correctly that they would be shutting down the curling club from September 30th 2000 for safety reasons. At this time the Curling Club was involved in an Alberta 2005 Centennial Initiative with the Town. Provincial Grants were available to support new, or upgrade, repair etc indoor or outdoor public use facilities. All was going well; plans were drawn up for a combined Curling Club facility / swimming pool.
October 10th 2000
It had been a couple of difficult years for the club since selling the club back to the Town. The club had incurred lawful debts, during the summer of 2000. The debt of some $7,000.00 was mainly in the form of utilities and some other items. The bills would have been paid on time in a normal year, from the income derived from association fees that were due. The club was also aware they would have financial difficulties in the short term as there would be no income for that season as the club was now closed for a year. These facts and the concerns re financial viability were then presented to Council by the Recreation Department. Council of the day decided that there was sufficient evidence to believe that the club was not financially viable and decided that Curling would not be part of the grant process at that time.
On October 12th 2000 a letter to this effect was received from the Recreation Department. They requested a financial plan to A) clear outstanding Debts and B) A Future Plan to ensure financial viability. The debt was paid and a financial plan developed with the approval of the Recreation Dept.
There is little doubt that these were difficult times and following a period of negotiation and change and support from the Town, the club has become financially stable. Even to the extent that the Curling Club was able to loan around $70,000.00 to the Town in order to pay for the bleachers in the new multiplex and bring the Alberta Scotties Tournament to Sylvan Lake in 2009.
The club is now secure financially and confident in its ability to be an asset to the Town of Sylvan Lake.
2012
The Forensic Assessment gives the Curling Club two years maximum life. Yet another mountain the Club and the Town must climb.
2013 – 2014
The Curling Club knew that the current facility would reach its end of life on March of 2014. Based on this end date, the building committee was working on a design and fund raising towards building a replacement facility. In January of 2014, the old arena collapsed due to snow load. This presented an opportunity to join in with the new multiplex redevelopment project and become part of a bigger united recreation facility. Planning is well under way and the first tenders for construction should be issued in May of 2015 with plans for a completed facility ready for use by September 2016.
We hope that you enjoyed reading the history of curling in Sylvan Lake and how we got to where we are today. Throughout the history and into the present, the Sylvan Lake Curling Club has worked jointly with the Town and other community groups to contribute to making the Town of Sylvan Lake a better place to live. The membership consisted of men and women from all walks of life and many of the names are very well known. Many descendants of the founding members are still living in or around the Town. The number of hours of fund raising and volunteer help from members and the community would be impossible to count.
The Curling Club has left a legacy of four parcels of land to the community of Sylvan Lake. The site for the new Town Office, the site for the Town Swimming Pool, the site of Lions Park, in cooperation with The Knights of Pythias, the Lions and Rotary and of course the site where the most recent curling rink stood.
The Curling Club wishes to thank the thousands of members and volunteers over the years that have contributed to creating this great curling history in Sylvan Lake.
Curling Club History 1928 to the present Day
February 15 1928
Inaugural meeting held at Sylvan Hotel, 15 members present.
May 9 1928
Site for curling club was decided upon at the North West corner of Main Street and 48th Avenue. Purchased from Alexander Loiselle for the sum of $400.00
October 1928
Two sheet natural ice curling rink constructed. 32 members raised $825.00 by purchasing shares in the club.
1928-1953
Curling rink and waiting rooms used by the community as a Community Centre for meetings and social functions
March 30th 1939
The Club set up a trust fund for new curling facility, at this stage there was no mention of it to include a Community Hall. Fund raising, via bonds, donations and events continued during the war and the fund continued to grow.
May 19th 1944
The proposal to transfer the Curling Club Property, (48thAvenue), to the Village of Sylvan Lake, as Trustees was discussed and agreed. The question of Title was raised and members were assured the clubs future was secure. By this time it is evident that the Curling Club members, who were members of council, were very active curlers and were also very active in promoting the clubs involvement in developing the Towns future.
1944-1950
Sylvan Lake Community Centre Committee was established. The committee consisted of members of Sylvan Lake Curling Club, The Kinsmen and Town Council most of whom were also members of the curlingclub. All proceeds from fund raising were directed to the Community Centre Fund. It is clear that by now there was a real drive on to raise funds to purchase an alternative site to build a Community Centre that would form part of the curling club facility. It was also evident that the majority of the propulsion came from the members of the Kinsmen, Sylvan Lake Curling Club and the Town Council, although this project needed the help of all residents no matter what organization they represented. It is interesting to note that the Town did go on record as saying that they will donate $1000.00 towards the purchase of the new site.
April 12th 1950
It was agreed that once the new facility was completed, the Curling Club would turn the old Curling rink building at 48th Avenue over to the Town for use as indoor skating facility. Waiting rooms were turned over to the Town to be used as a scout hut. This partnering is still evidenced today where the Scouts still use facilities in the Arena. It was also agreed the new site and facility together with the land at 48th Avenue would be turned over to the Town in Trust with a promise of a 99 year lease.
July 12th 1950
The present site of the Curling Club and Swimming pool was registered in trust to the Town of Sylvan Lake
October 4th 1950
The Club took out a Bank loan of $5000.00 and included Club funds for the project. Club members endorsed the bank loan. The finance to build the new Community Hall in large was donated by the Curling Club, the Kinsmen and donations from local business and local citizens.
May 30th 1961
Title of new site transferred in full to the Town of Sylvan Lake.
April 10th 1963
This was the last dated entry in the minutes of 1963; it discussed installing artificial ice. During the month of April and May $5100.00 was raised by members of the club, from the sale of $100.00 shares. This was used as a deposit on a bank loan of $56,000.00 to pay for the installation of artificial ice and all that goes with it. The artificial ice was installed.
November 13th 1963
A twenty year lease was granted to the Curling Club on the new facility and site. I imagine that many of the hard working folks of the last 35 years were upset they did not get the promised 99 year lease.
1980
New lease 1980-1983 signed and club took over complete operation.
1984
Town agreed for Club to purchase facility for $1.00.
1986
A new agreement was signed and club purchased the facility for $1.00. A further bank loan of $55,000.00 for additions and renovations was made; loan repaid. At this time the Town had developed the new Community Hall at Four Seasons Park and had no further use for the Community Centre over the Curling Club. The hall came as part of the package and became an integral feature of the clubs facilities. It was used for banquets during bonspiels and for many other social events for the community.
1997
Two projects were undertaken during the next 12 months, a large addition and new lighting in the rinks for which a $70,000.00 loan was obtained.
1997
Later that year the Town approached the curling club to buy back the land and the building in order to make way for a new Multi-Million Dollar Commercial, Hotel and Recreational facility. Following lengthy negotiation a Lease agreement was negotiated and signed between the Curling Club, the Town giving the Curling Club security for the next 50 years. The Town purchased the land and building back from the Curling Club for $1.00. The Town also agreed to pay the recent lawful debt of $70,000.00 in order to proceed with plans for a new Mall development. Contained in the agreement was a clause stating that the Curling Club would get a new club building as good as if not better than the present building.
1999
The developer went bust so now there is confusion as to the position the club is in with the Town.
July 6 2000
A report was received, on an inspection carried out on June 30th 2000 on behalf of the Town by PFM Engineering of Lloydminster. The building was found to be unsafe. This resulted in the Town advising the club, quite correctly that they would be shutting down the curling club from September 30th 2000 for safety reasons. At this time the Curling Club was involved in an Alberta 2005 Centennial Initiative with the Town. Provincial Grants were available to support new, or upgrade, repair etc indoor or outdoor public use facilities. All was going well; plans were drawn up for a combined Curling Club facility / swimming pool.
October 10th 2000
It had been a couple of difficult years for the club since selling the club back to the Town. The club had incurred lawful debts, during the summer of 2000. The debt of some $7,000.00 was mainly in the form of utilities and some other items. The bills would have been paid on time in a normal year, from the income derived from association fees that were due. The club was also aware they would have financial difficulties in the short term as there would be no income for that season as the club was now closed for a year. These facts and the concerns re financial viability were then presented to Council by the Recreation Department. Council of the day decided that there was sufficient evidence to believe that the club was not financially viable and decided that Curling would not be part of the grant process at that time.
On October 12th 2000 a letter to this effect was received from the Recreation Department. They requested a financial plan to A) clear outstanding Debts and B) A Future Plan to ensure financial viability. The debt was paid and a financial plan developed with the approval of the Recreation Dept.
There is little doubt that these were difficult times and following a period of negotiation and change and support from the Town, the club has become financially stable. Even to the extent that the Curling Club was able to loan around $70,000.00 to the Town in order to pay for the bleachers in the new multiplex and bring the Alberta Scotties Tournament to Sylvan Lake in 2009.
The club is now secure financially and confident in its ability to be an asset to the Town of Sylvan Lake.
2012
The Forensic Assessment gives the Curling Club two years maximum life. Yet another mountain the Club and the Town must climb.
2013 – 2014
The Curling Club knew that the current facility would reach its end of life on March of 2014. Based on this end date, the building committee was working on a design and fund raising towards building a replacement facility. In January of 2014, the old arena collapsed due to snow load. This presented an opportunity to join in with the new multiplex redevelopment project and become part of a bigger united recreation facility. Planning is well under way and the first tenders for construction should be issued in May of 2015 with plans for a completed facility ready for use by September 2016.
We hope that you enjoyed reading the history of curling in Sylvan Lake and how we got to where we are today. Throughout the history and into the present, the Sylvan Lake Curling Club has worked jointly with the Town and other community groups to contribute to making the Town of Sylvan Lake a better place to live. The membership consisted of men and women from all walks of life and many of the names are very well known. Many descendants of the founding members are still living in or around the Town. The number of hours of fund raising and volunteer help from members and the community would be impossible to count.
The Curling Club has left a legacy of four parcels of land to the community of Sylvan Lake. The site for the new Town Office, the site for the Town Swimming Pool, the site of Lions Park, in cooperation with The Knights of Pythias, the Lions and Rotary and of course the site where the most recent curling rink stood.
The Curling Club wishes to thank the thousands of members and volunteers over the years that have contributed to creating this great curling history in Sylvan Lake.