Curling in Edmonton: Rinks that Rock

Relocating to Edmonton?  When Canadians move to another Canadian city, they want to know where to shop, where the schools are and where the nearest curling rink is located. 

Curling is one of Canada’s favourite past times.  It’s a game of strategy enjoyed by folks of all ages.  Curling allows you to meet new people when you move to a new community and helps you stay healthy and active especially during the long, dark winter months.

In Edmonton, there are several knock-out rinks to check out and here are just three.

Shamrock Curling Club

This 60-year-old club in Edmonton’s Bonnie Doon district is located at 9330 – 80 Avenue next to the Mill Creek Ravine Park.   It was started back in 1955 when a dozen people met at Hart’s Drug Store to discuss the feasibility of starting a club.  After canvassing the Bonnie Doon area, the committee signed up more than 100 people and at the first meeting, 200 people showed up to get the rocks rolling. The first memberships were $100 a person, a fair amount of money in the days when monthly salaries were only a couple of hundred dollars. The fledgling society was able to secure a loan for $60,000 and construction began.  The present building opened with a grand bonspiel on February 14,1956.  The Shamrock hosted many elite curling events, inviting curling champions from across Western Canada to attend attracting crowds and other competitive curlers who had either played in the Brier or were of similar calibre.  The society was able to burn the mortgage on the rink in six short years.

This welcoming curling club encourages everyone to try the sport – no previous experience necessary.  The Shamrock offers learn-to-curl programs with Drop-In sessions happening throughout the curling season.  They also conduct Fun Leagues which are non-competitive and target the novice curler.  Every Sunday the Shamrock runs a very enthusiastic Junior program and the Men’s and Ladies’ leagues have a very busy schedule.  Memberships are always on sale.

Jasper Place Curling Club

Located in the Mayfield/Youngstown district of Edmonton, the Jasper Place Curling Club is touted as the fastest growing facilities of its type in the city.  It’s in a great location, easy to find with ample free parking. Like the Shamrock, Jasper Place has programs of all curlers from novice to elite along with comfortable spectator seating.  Jasper Place offers a concession, a full bar, big-screen TVs and access to public computers. The ice is “quick” according to some of the seasoned veterans, there’s a pro shop and club members enjoy use of practice ice for which there’s no additional charge.  Curling lessons are also available early in the season, generally in September.  Learn the basics or curlers with at least three years’ experience can register for a tune-up clinic, also early in the season.  There is also a high-school component supporting Edmonton secondary school phys-ed curriculums.

If you’re looking to rent a place for a private party or curling event, you can rent ice as long as Jasper Place leagues are not taking up the sheets of ice.  There is also catering on-site.  The best time to rent ice is in the afternoon or evening on a Saturday or Sunday however weekday play can sometimes be accommodated.  Groups of 24 or more can be accommodated best on weekends.

Ellerslie Curling Club

This is another established club in Edmonton which is now located at 530 – 71 Avenue, south of the Anthony Henday in the community of Ellerslie. The first generation of ice was built here in 1962 when Ellerslie was a district and not even within the city boundaries.  There were just two sheets of ice, which was flooded and frozen, housed in a building roughly constructed with straw bales. It was humourously known as the Straw Palace.  After four years, an upgrade was required and a new facility was constructed with a concrete floor.  It was used as a community hall in the off-season.  This new rink had three sheets with an ice plant and an upstairs lounge.  By 1995 this facility was outdated and old and by this time, Ellerslie had been absorbed by the City of Edmonton.  There are now six sheets with a concession area, locker facilities, office space and the upstairs lounge boasts a dance floor and spectator viewing area.

There are Men’s, Ladies and Mixed leagues, plus junior and senior curling with room in the schedule for schools. They too offer learn to curl clinics and will provide all the equipment a beginner needs to begin a career in curling.