‘It’s a game for life’: Sudbury celebrates 130-year curling history
A celebration of curling was held at Sudbury’s Northern Credit Union Community Centre on Friday.
It was the official grand opening of the centre, which recently adopted its new name.
Political figures, members of the curling community and Northern Credit Union workers were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
It marked a three-year, $60,000 partnership between the Northern Credit Union and Curl Sudbury, which will go to facility improvements and new equipment.
“We’re really excited to work with them. It’s been in progress for over eight months and we’re so happy to see it come into fruition,” said senior vice president of member experience with Northern Credit Union, Liisa Woolley.
She added that Curl Sudbury supports bringing people together.
Tom Leonard, the general manager of the Northern Credit Community Centre, said the funding will help ease capital expenditures.
“We can focus on growing the game and diversifying the game and getting people who wouldn’t normally curl into curling,” he added.
Established in 1892, Curl Sudbury was also celebrating 130 years.
Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre said curling is an integral part of the city’s history.
“The people who created Sudbury back in the day, it was important to have a curling rink and share in that sport and share in that culture,” Lefebvre added.
“We’re celebrating 130 years and we look forward to the next 130 years.”
Leonard, who is an avid curler himself, said he wants the sport to grow and explained a key part of doing this is to diversify curling.
“We have too many people who look like me who curl. We need people who don’t look like me curling,”
He added that the sport encourages all to play.
“We want people from every walks of life,” Leonard said.
“We don’t care about race, gender, skin colour, age; we just want people to curl.”
He told CTV News he believes encouraging new comers to Canada will help curling grow in popularity.
He also said he enjoys the comradery and strategy behind the sport.
“It’s a game for life,” he added.
To celebrate 130 years, a 24-hour tournament will wrap-up Saturday, consisting of 52 local teams.
For updates on the 130 End Game Bonspiel taking place, visit the centre’s Facebook page.
A 24-hour and 130-end tournament is being held to celebrate 130 years of curling in the city. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News Northern Ontario)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Defence minister says Canada supports U.S. downing of Chinese balloon
The federal defence Minister says Canada 'unequivocally supports' the United States government's decision to shoot down a high-altitude surveillance balloon that was suspected of spying for China, noting the balloon violated Canadian airspace.

U.S. downs Chinese balloon, drawing a threat from China
The U.S. military on Saturday shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the Carolina coast after it traversed sensitive military sites across North America. China insisted the flyover was an accident involving a civilian aircraft and threatened repercussions.
'It's devastating': Homeless Canadians at risk as Eastern Canada endures extreme cold, advocates say
As the majority of Eastern Canada stays indoors during an extreme cold weather alert, homeless shelters are struggling to keep up with the demand from unhoused people as temperatures continue to drop.
Extreme cold can bring frostbite and hypothermia. Here are the symptoms to watch for
Canadians will continue to bundle up in the country's east this weekend as a recent bout of extreme cold persists in much of Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. CTVNews.ca looks at the signs and symptoms for frostbite and hypothermia to watch for if exposed to extreme cold.
China says it strongly opposes U.S. move to shoot down balloon
China's foreign ministry said on Sunday that it expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition towards the United States' use of force to attack its airship.
Poor oral health could affect the brain later in life: early study
An early study has shown keeping your gums and teeth healthy may have added benefits for your brain health.
Federal government asking RCMP to ban use of sponge rounds, CS gas for crowd control
The federal government says it wants the RCMP to ban the use of two crowd-control tools that forces across the country say they have in their arsenals: sponge rounds and CS gas.
Extremely cold temperatures prolong cold weather alerts for much of Eastern Canada
A cold snap that triggered Environment Canada alerts involving eight provinces and territories extended into a second day on Saturday, shattering several past temperature records and leaving thousands of customers in Atlantic Canada without power.
Toronto named as host city for 2024 NHL all-star game
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced Saturday the league's 2024 showcase will be played in Toronto for the ninth time.