Heather Curling Club
| Heather Curling Club | |
|---|---|
| Location | 120 Rue Youville Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2S1 Canada 49°52′33″N 97°06′25″W / 49.875812°N 97.106906°WCoordinates: 49°52′33″N 97°06′25″W / 49.875812°N 97.106906°W Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed. |
| Information | |
| Established | 1915 |
| Club type | Dedicated ice |
| CCA region | Curl Manitoba |
| Sheets of ice | Eight |
| Website | https://www.heathercurlingclub.org |
The Heather Curling Club is a historic a multi-purpose venue located in the St. Boniface neighbourhood in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Known as "the Heather", this club is one of the main Francophone curling clubs in Manitoba.[1] The curling club first opened on Christmas day in 1915, and the current venue opened in December of 1965. Significant renovations in the 1990s expanded the clubs purpose from solely a winter curling rink into a multi purpose venue capable of hosting events in the summer time.[2]
History
Originally known as the "St. Boniface Curling Club", it was funded by its most affluent members in its early years to keep the club going through the financial hardships of the 1930s. By the 1950s the club's infrastructure was in need of repairs, and the members invested in new clubhouses, a new seven sheet rink, and the first artificial ice plant to be installed in greater Winnipeg at a cost of $10,000.[3] by 1964, the supermarket chain safeway offered to buy the club from the members and spent $350,000 to establish the current eight sheet rink still used in 2025.[4][5] The club being at the forefront of modernisation at this time helped the venue attract significant events as host. As of the 2025 it has hosted Provincial championships like the Strathcona Seniors and the Green Valley Juniors. The venue has also been used to host the Canadian Postal Championship, the 1989 Canadian Pepsi Juniors, Knights of Columbus State Spiels and in 2008 the Friars’ Briar, the Canadian Chaplains Championship.[6][7]
The club has several quality teams play out of their club throughout its history. The club has had two teams represent the province at the Canadian Men's Curling Championship: In 1976 Manitoba was represented by the Clare De Blonde team and in 1978 the Doug Harrison team represented Manitoba. Heather teams has also had success with their mixed gender team skipped by Ernie Boushy. This group won two Canadian Championships in 1964 and 1966. In 1980, Jim Dunstone also won a Canadian Mixed Curling Championship while representing the Heather. In 1989, Cathy Overton skipped her team when they won the Canadian Junior Women's Championship representing Manitoba, and in 2004, Martin Bailey's team won the Canadian Open Masters Championship curling out of the Heather.[8]
Beyond the games on the ice, Manitoba Curling Hall of Famer Gary Smith also called the Heather Curling Club his home. He even served on the executive of the Heather and became its president in 1989. Gary appeared in 20 provincial championships and consistent volunteer at the youth level. He later became the clubs first honorary life member as well as president of the Manitoba Curling Association.[9]
Training Centre
In 2024, A coalition of governing bodies including Curling Canada, Curl Manitoba, Sport Manitoba, the Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba and the provincial government came together to announce a Regional Performance Hub and Development Centre at the Heather Curling Club. Two of the eight sheets of ice at the Heather were equipped with advanced tools, including video analysis, speed traps, smart brooms and championship-calibre stones. These training materials have attracted elite curlers to train at the Heather, including the team of four-time women's national champion Kerri Einarson.[10]
Amenities
The club has a full-service kitchen and bar located at the club with seasonal hours tailored to the curling season.[11] The social hall that can be rented in the summer time is licensed for 600 people with access to the kitchen and bar.[12]
The club has instituted a unique membership fee program that allows each curler to participate in as many leagues as they can at no extra charge. It also gives members discounts for members to use for amenities, and free practice ice.[13]
References
- ↑ Martin, Danielle. “Past, Present and Future of Winnipeg Curling Clubs.” The Uniter, 16 Nov. 2017, https://uniter.ca/view/past-present-and-future-of-winnipeg-curling-clubs.
- ↑ Heather Curling Club. (n.d.). About us. Heather Curling Club. https://www.heathercurlingclub.org/about-us/
- ↑ Fuller, Simon. “Celebrating a Curling Centennial at Heather CC.” Winnipeg Free Press, 18 Mar. 2016, https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/lance/2016/03/18/celebrating-a-curling-centennial-at-heather-cc
- ↑ “1965 – Heather Curling Club, St. Boniface, Winnipeg.” Archiseek, 9 Dec. 2024, https://www.archiseek.com/1965-heather-curling-club-st-boniface-winnipeg/.
- ↑ Mott, Morris, and John Allardyce. Curling Capital: Winnipeg and the Roarin'Game, 1876 to 1988. Univ. of Manitoba Press, 1989.
- ↑ Heather Curling Club. (n.d.). About us. Heather Curling Club. https://www.heathercurlingclub.org/about-us/
- ↑ The Heather Curling Club, 1916-2016: An Illustrated History by Ed Ledohowski for Heather Rink Limited, 2018
- ↑ Manitoba Historical Society. (n.d.). Heather Curling Club. Manitoba Historical Society. https://mhs.mb.ca/docs/organization/heathercurlingclub.shtml
- ↑ “Hall of Famers – 2003.” Manitoba Curling Museum, mbcurlmuseum.com/hall-of-famers-2003/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
- ↑ Liewicki, N. (2024, December 4). Regional high-performance curling centre officially launches at Winnipeg’s Heather club. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/curling-performance-centre-winnipeg-heather-club-1.7400977
- ↑ Heather Curling Club. (n.d.). Kitchen hours of operation. Heather Curling Club. https://www.heathercurlingclub.org/facilities-services/kitchen-hours-of-operation/
- ↑ Heather Curling Club. (n.d.). Social hall rental guide. Heather Curling Club. https://www.heathercurlingclub.org/social-hall-rental-guide/
- ↑ Bender, Jim. “Halving Their Members Keeps Heather Curling Club Afloat.” Winnipeg Sun, 26 Oct. 2016, https://winnipegsun.com/2016/10/26/halving-their-members-keeps-heather-curling-club-afloat.
External links
Category:Curling clubs in Manitoba Category:Sports venues in Winnipeg Category:Curling clubs established in the 20th century Category:Sports clubs and teams established in 1915 Category:1915 establishments in Manitoba Category:St. Boniface, Winnipeg Category:Curling in Winnipeg Category:Historic buildings and structures in Manitoba
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