(Dreamstime)

By rdnewsNOW staff

‘We’re building towards even more’: Red Deer Curling Centre speaks on importance of reaching 125 years

Feb 22, 2025 | 5:06 PM

This weekend was all about appreciation for the past and looking ahead to the future for the Red Deer Curling Centre.

The Red Deer Curling Club, which first began in 1898 on a small outdoor rink on Morrison Street, celebrated its 125th anniversary. It’s a truly remarkable milestone for the local centre.

On Feb 21-22, they celebrated the occasion with a bonspiel and social at the Pidherney Centre. This included a full tournament with opening ceremonies, banquet, and a dinner.

Lynn Zentner, social director at the Red Deer Curling Centre, said the planning for the celebration began last year, but really ramped up over the last month.

“Last night with some of our speakers, they acknowledged how big of a milestone it is stating the importance of that and the importance of community and camaraderie of all of our members,” Zentner said, adding they’ve started junior curling and ‘learn to curl’ leagues.

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“We’re building towards even more for the next few years and the next 125 years.”

The Red Deer Curling Centre is the largest club in Alberta with over 900 members, 19 curling leagues, and various bonspiels that take place throughout the season.

The Pidherney Centre is also the largest in province with the 12 sheets of ice, just one of three this size in Canada.

Don Kelloway, past president of the club, says making it to such a massive milestone is a tremendous accomplishment.

“I think the spirit that’s here, is the volunteer spirit. Without the volunteers, this place isn’t working very well,” he said. “Last year, we had the Grand Slam of Curling here and the volunteers did a heck of a job.”

The infrastructure, he said, is supported by the members and the money that they raise. He explained they were able to get new lights following the Grand Slam of Curling event last year.

He also explained the members take a lot of pride in having kept the club going strong for so many years.

“I think the social importance and the camaraderie, I didn’t understand it until I saw it,” he said. “It’s so important for them to get out every morning or once week, be with their friends, and have coffee time once the game’s over.”