The 2009-10 curling season is drawing to a close. Locally, the annual Rocker Reynolds Mixed Bonspiel, being held this weekend, will be the last event of the year. And what a year it has been for area curlers, as the Grand Forks Curling Club has been celebrating its centennial. This is certainly a significant achievement and worth acknowledging whether one is a curler or not.

Think of all the volunteers who built the original rink back in 1909, which was situated across from the present Legion, then fast forward to the 1970s when another group of volunteers worked tirelessly to construct the present building near the Arena and Aquatic Centre. Without the vision and dedication of many residents this great facility would not be in our community.

During the recently held BC Women’s and Men’s Masters Championship at the Grand Forks curling facility, while I watched the on-ice action from the upstairs viewing lounge, standing next to me was Ken Lockhart. He was one of those committed contributors of time and resources who worked on the new structure. As we looked out at the games in progress, understanding that it included many fine curlers from around the province, some who had achieved greatness in the sport, Ken said to me, “It is so good to see this happening out there, for this is why we built this place.”

Perhaps that comment, more than any other, sums up the significance of this 100th anniversary season. It is a tribute to past and present volunteers for following a dream which resulted in a gift to this area; a gift which has provided a gathering place where people of all ages have fun, benefit from physical exercise and develop friendships. It has also given the wider community a meeting place for weddings and funerals, seminars and parties.

Understandably, it is the curlers themselves who have been the central focus in this year long celebration which culminates this week, but the rest of the community should also pause for a moment to remember and commemorate this piece of history. I have heard the odd person say that Grand Forks does not have much going for it. Nothing can be further from the truth. This small city has much that is beneficial and valuable, not the least of which is the Grand Forks Curling Club.

During the Vancouver 2010 Olympics TSN Curling Commentator Vic Rauter asked Wayne Gretzky a couple of questions while they watched one of the curling draws. The hockey great had this to say about Canada’s other national sport, curling. “First of all the Olympic Games are incredible, but to see these curlers and how good they are, is over the top. They really are something special.”

Curling was the most searched Olympic Sport on Google and Yahoo during the recently completed Games. The atmosphere at the Vancouver Olympic Centre, the venue for curling, was described as being more electric than at any other Olympic event. A CBC online story after the Olympics stated, “There has never been a cooler time to curl.”

As the 100th year of curling in Grand Forks concludes, it might be appropriate to paraphrase Gretzky’s comments, “What has been achieved over the last century in Grand Forks curling circles is over the top. The volunteers and curlers are really something special.” It is, indeed, a really “cool” time to curl, not only because it is an excellent sport but also since it is woven into the historical fabric of this community.

Happy Anniversary to all of you at Curl Grand Forks!