// FEATURE STORY
Spring is a season for growth By: Ryan Maier, USA Curling Member Services Intern
isting facilities receiving much needed upgrades, and numerous arena-based clubs exploring options for obtaining dedicated ice. Most of these projects have one very specific common goal – completion before the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, which brings renewed focus to the sport from the American public. On Dec. 18, 2011, Norfolk Curling Club members in Norfolk, Conn., received
Moving forward D
uring the 2012-13 season, four new curling facilities featuring 22 sheets of ice opened their doors in the United States. Te growth trend continues with new dedicated facilities breaking ground, ex-
devastating news. Teir club’s facility, stones, and irreplaceable collection of curling memorabilia donated by founding members were destroyed by arson fire. Te shock of this senseless act of destruction did not dampen the group’s spirit or dedication to the sport they love. Instead, members of the club and community banded together to rebuild the facility. According to Norfolk Club President Mary Fanette, the community could not have been more supportive. “Local news brought an outpouring of support, and donations began to come in immediately. Te press would regularly check in to see how things were going,” Fanette said. Te club, located in a town of less than 1,800 residents in the Litchfield Hills
portion of the Appalachian mountain range, faced some tough decisions. Previ- ously a two-sheet facility, some club members suggested adding a third sheet to the construction plans. However, questions about recruiting potential, practical issues involving the sprinkler system, and budgeting concerns helped the club determine that rebuilding as a two-sheet club was the best option. “You find little obstacles along the way when building, some things you can-
not plan for,” Fanette said. Te club’s experience using a full-service contracting firm has helped them effectively deal with some of these issues. Fanette recom- mends other clubs seeking to build explore this route. “It is much easier and
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Te Norfolk club was destroyed by arson in late 2011 and has risen from the ashes (top). Te Denver Curling Club is making the move from arena ice to dedicated ice thanks in part to a land donation (above sketch).
more efficient to hire a company that handles the architecture, construction, designing, and contracting all at once,” she said. Full service companies may handle legal and logistics issues as well. Progress on the Norfolk Curling Club, which is scheduled to reopen this fall, can be viewed on their website, http://
rocknorfolk.com. Te Fargo-Moorhead Curling Club (FMCC), in Fargo, N.D., has been a fix-
ture in the community for nearly three-quarters of a century. In 1967, the club entered into an agreement with the Fargo Park Board to build the club’s current four-sheet facility. Over the years, numerous repairs and improvements have been made to the building, including installing heaters and humidity controls in the ice house, club room upgrades, and new lighting. However, in recent years, with the club close to member capacity, the cost to secure more renova- tions was too high given the location, lack of ability for expansion, lack of ad- equate parking, and reduced visibility. While the ground-breaking for the club’s new six-sheet $2.5 million facility took place on April 25, 2013, the process leading up to this momentous occasion
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