The Bradford Curling Club has been around for more than a century – introducing generations to the sport, and playing a significant role in the Bradford West Gwillimbury community through special events and fundraisers.
The curling club recently hosted its Yuk Yuk’s comedy night, an evening of food, fun and entertainment at the Portuguese Cultural Centre of Bradford. It drew a full house.
Approximately 360 people turned out to the event last week - not all of them curlers, but all looking forward to an evening of comedy. The food was catered by Poleiro BBQ, and there was dancing to a DJ, a chance to bid on a silent auction, and a trio of stand-up comics from Yuk Yuk’s on Tour, all for $40 per person.
It’s a significant fundraiser for the club, said co-organizer Cathie Heppell. Bradford’s curling club, despite its long pedigree – it was founded in 1880 – has been experiencing declining membership in recent years.
“We’re not being able to fundraise with membership fees alone,” said Heppell, although she noted that once people come in and give curling a try, “they’re hooked!”
Yuk Yuk’s on Tour has provided a significant financial boost for the past six years, especially important since the club has made and continues to make upgrades to its ice plant and facility.
The comedy night has also proven very popular with the community.
“It’s great! Most of our tickets are sold before they’re printed,” Heppell said. “Everybody has a good time.”
Also on the comedy night committee were Past President Wally Kemp, ticket-seller Heather Fudge, and Silent Auction Co-ordinator Carmel Krystow, organizing the evening with help from directors and volunteers, including current President Brian Febel.
Febel noted curling as a sport is open to all ages and levels of ability. The Bradford Curling Club has leagues for men, women, mixed teams, seniors every Tuesday afternoon, and Super Seniors (a group that curls at three different clubs) on Fridays.
There is also a “very good” junior program for youth, Febel said, that meets every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and welcomes new members.
At the moment, there is no separate league for wheelchair curlers, “but we’re always very open and welcoming to that,” said Febel, adding wheelchair curlers have always been accommodated at club events. One issue: there is currently no handicap-access to the upstairs club room, something Febel would like to see changed, if and when funding becomes available.
Febel is currently working to raise the profile of curling in the community. Curling Canada has declared Feb. 23 as National Curling Day in Canada, and the Bradford Curling Club is inviting the public to drop in, learn more about the club and the sport, and watch a competition on the ice.
The club, located at 125 Simcoe Rd. beside the Bradford and District Memorial Community Centre, is hosting a mixed doubles bonspiel on Feb. 23, demonstrating the newest variation of the sport, which pits mixed teams of two against each other in fast-paced and exciting competition.
“It’s an awareness piece,” said Febel. “We do events like this (both Yuk Yuk’s and National Curling Day) for outreach.”
Curling, known as the “roaring game” because of the commands shouted down the sheet during play, can trace its rules back to 1838 in Scotland. Played outdoors in its earliest versions, it now finds a home in clubs and rinks around the world.
It is a game of skill, sportsmanship, strategy, honesty, and everyone - kids, men, women, couples, individuals, experienced curlers and beginners - is welcome, Febel said.
For more information, see bradfordcurlingclub.ca or call 905-775-4444.