OLIVER CURLING CLUB
1970

On June 4th construction began with an estimated cost for the facility of $84,000.
Volunteer hours totaled 10,000. Work parties began at 6:00 P.M. on weekdays and on weekends. The men did the general labour work and the women took on the entire job of painting the club. Not one dollar of Public Taxes money was used to build or maintain the building. The rink does stand on Town property.

The building contractor for the project was Bill Seidler. By August construction was well underway and the completion date was set for September.

The first ice maker hired was A. J. “Pat” Patterson. A retired Air Force Army Veteran. Pat was an enthusiastic curler and had coached at the junior and high school levels. In September the refrigeration equipment was installed. Rocks were ordered from Scotland and were to be shipped.

The ice sheets were bare bones grey concrete block walls and an open ceiling of truss rafters. In one place on the north side daylight could be seen through cracks in the block wall. While this had not been planned it allowed the smoke that was vented from the lodge to escape outside. (Smoking still being permitted). The bleachers that are still currently used were donated by the Penticton Granite Curling Club.

It was said that the curling club was built because Eric Bastian (left) didn’t know it was impossible.

In October Eric Bastian was elected First President along with a slate of officers of the Curling Club. Helen Bastian (shown left) was elected as the First President of the Ladies Club. The Ladies Club ran the concession for the club. A portion of the profits from the concession went to operating expenses.

On October 15th the first ice was put in the curling rinks. By September the Curling Club was in full swing.

 

 

submitted by Johanne Smith