The Gravenhurst Curling Club was formed in 1901 as a 3 sheet club. As one of the oldest clubs in Muskoka, it began in what was called the “Ice Palace” – a barn-like structure that also housed skating and hockey clubs.Wanting more ice time for curling, the club soon moved to a new location on John Street. Water was pumped in from Gull Lake and formed naturally until 1953, when the club installed an artificial icemaker beneath the floor. The more reliable ice formed just in time for the first annual Muskoka Ladies Bonspiel.
Curling popularity only increased and in 1958 the club decided it needed to upgrade from a three-sheet to six-sheet rink. It relocated and built the new clubhouse, the same one used today. The design is similar to many other curling rinks across Ontario, consisting of preformed wooden roof and wall trusses with cement block curtain walls between the supports. As many as 10,000 cement blocks were used in the project. Volunteers decorated, sanded and painted the new space and made sure it was ready in time for 1958 curling season. This facility now hosts 8 leagues a week throughout the winter, and plays an essential part to the Curling Masters and Grand Masters series. The facility features a heated ice area, a lounge over looking the ice and a very well equipped kitchen and bar.
Photo Credit:gravenhurst.ca
