FERGUS – When the road in front of the tavern that stood at the corner of St. Andrew and Tower streets in Fergus froze over way back in 1834, owner Hugh Black decided the only thing to do was set up a game of curling.
After all, curling was invented in Scotland and Fergus was largely a Scottish settlement at the time. And since curling is a social game, there’s a natural fit with a tavern.
“What better place, Mr. Black thinks, to combine vigorous outdoor activity with an entertaining way to pass the long winter than the stretch of ice in front of his tavern.
“The curlers can play a few ends, retreat to the tavern for refreshment and warmth, then resume their play until cold, darkness or a solid takeout ends the game.”
Those are the words written in a book that was compiled in 2009 to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Fergus Curling Club.
Little did they know, back in 1834, that their first game of curling would mark the beginning of the Fergus Curling Club, which has become the longest continuously running curling club in Ontario.
And as the club celebrates its 190th anniversary this year, members are taking another look at their history – and their future.
“It’s a significant milestone for us,” said club president Chris Krupicz in an interview at the club.
She added there will be an open house and “try curling” nights this fall to introduce people to the game.
“We’re older than Canada,” she noted of the club, now located at 148 St. George St. W.
The building has four ice sheets, a kitchen, men’s and women’s change rooms, washrooms and a bar.
It hosts regular team play plus bonspiels. It also offers learn-to-play sessions and Little Rocks, just for kids.
These curling rocks date back to the early days of the Fergus Curling Club. While it plans for its future, the club is also celebrating its past.
The club is holding an open house/barbecue on Oct. 5 where folks can register. It is also offering two “try curling” nights: on Oct. 12 and 19.
Curling 101 is a six-week course for new players that wraps up with a bonspiel just for this group. Those graduates can join a team for the second intake that begins in January.
Krupicz would never call herself an athlete, but she’s pretty good with the rocks, she said with a laugh.
“You can start really young and play until you can’t anymore. We have people in their 80s who still play,” she said, adding they can deliver rocks using a long stick, making it easier for those who can’t go down on one knee anymore.
Krupicz said curling clubs are social clubs above all else. That’s why good behaviour and decorum are very important, both on and off the ice.
She joined the Fergus club seven years ago after moving here from Toronto and found it is a great way to meet people and integrate into the community.
With so many people moving to Centre Wellington, curling might be the ice breaker they need to feel they belong, she said.
“We’re very welcoming. And you will meet some great people,” she said.
This year also marks the 70th year of women’s curling.
Up until 1954, women sat on the sidelines, but in 1954 28 women formed their own board, their own league and raised their own funds to play.
It wasn’t until 1999 the men’s and women’s clubs integrated, and now mixed teams are commonplace.
The Wellington County Museum and Archives helped the Fergus Curling Club preserve and display a banner from 1899. The fine stitching and satin-like fabric are too delicate for normal room conditions.
But just as growth is impacting the community, so is it impacting the Fergus Curling Club.
It has about 250 adult members and 45 youth members and that’s all good.
“Are we big enough? Not really,” Krupicz said.
“We will run out of space. That’s why we’re looking at a 20-year plan. How to manage growth is raising new questions for us.”
The club owns the building but leases the land from the township.
The building was constructed in the 1970s and while everything works, there are quirks, she said, including a bump on the floor that requires much finessing while installing ice.
The club is currently fundraising to fix the floor but long-term officials might consider a new facility, with modern ice-making equipment that’s more efficient and cost-effective. And, of course more space to accommodate more people.
Officials would also like to accommodate wheelchair curling, which they can’t do now.
“We still have space though,” Krupicz emphasized.
“We are set up now to accept new people and we want new people.
“You don’t need to be a pro – you don’t even have to know how to play. Come and check us out.”
The club’s past plays a big part in the present. Traditions, such as being ushered on the ice by bagpipes at bonspiels, continue. And there are showcases in the lounge area that feature historic items, like a banner from 1899, old hand-made rocks, trophies and numerous photographs of past members.
Senator Rob Black, a descendent of tavern owner Hugh Black, continues to host the Founder’s Bonspiel.
Krupicz’s husband recently passed away, but she said they enjoyed playing together and saw their curling night as date night.
“It was the only time I could yell at him to sweep,” she said with a laugh.
For more information about the Fergus Curling Club, visit ferguscurling.ca.
