By Mat Barrett

Curling, Coffee, Conversation

Learning about Melfort’s storied curling history

Feb 9, 2019 | 10:00 AM

The Melfort Curling Club was the sight of another Coffee and Coversation event hosted by the Melfort Museum last week.

On Thursday, Feb. 7, people gathered at the curling club to enjoy snacks and coffee, as people got up to the podium to chat about their memories of curling in and around Melfort.

Alan Porter is the Chair of the Board at the museum, and spends a lot of time researching for the museum. He called the event at the curling club a big success.

“This is the first time that we’ve done a coffee and conversation that wasn’t at the museum,” Porter told northeastNOW. “So, obviously you get a lot more people when you come to their territory. So that worked out well. We’re always anxious to hear more stories.”

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One topic that came up a lot at the event was the different versions of curling rinks in Melfort through the years. Porter said that even though there have been other rinks in the city, the current rink has a good history of its own.

“This rink was built in 1972,” He said. “But the first rink on this site was built in 1947, and then in 1960 they put in artificial ice. Then in 1972, they built a new rink on the old ice plant.”

Other topics included past teams, and bonspiels that gave lasting memories to those in attendance.

Porter said that events like these are not only fun, but important.

“I think if you want to have a good understanding of who you are, and where you’ve come from,” He said. “It’s important to know where you’ve come from, what has led you to be where you are today. So events like this are an opportunity to talk about the things that have happened in the past, the trials and pitfalls, as well as the glories.”

Porter added that we still have gaps in our knowledge (their earliest minute book dates back to 1938), and they are always looking for more information about Melfort. He also called curling a “sub-culture” in the city.

mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6