- 250-498-2244
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Upcoming dates to note:
Wednesday, May 22nd, 7:00pm Annual General Meeting
Golf Tournament
Sunday, September 15th - Oliver Curling Club Golf Tournament - Scramble Format - 75 golfers needed. As of April 22nd - 66 signed up now! 39 registered!
Entry Form:
2023/24 Curling Season has come to a close! Here are some of the League winners to date:
OCC Life Member Receives Spirit of Oliver Community Builder Award
Cathy Pidduck received the community builder award at the Spirit of Oliver Awards!
It was for her volunteering and bringing in the youth curling from the schools to the Oliver Curling Club
Honorary Life Member Inducted
Monday Day League
Winner 1st Half - Ken Giffen, Pat Batchelor, Greg Sheppard, Sharon Giffen
Winner 2nd Half - Murray Soder, Marc Carriere, Jean Lederer, Barry Berto
Playoff Winner King's Division: Gerard's Equipment
Playoff Winner Queen's Division: Black Hills Winery
Tuesday Night Ladies League
Winner 1st Half - Diane Tetreault, Pat Batchelor, Marilyn Reimer, Melissa Smits
Winner 2nd Half - Jennifer Seminoff, Sylvia Lowe, Wendy Warawa, Jacqueline Davidson
Wednesday Day League
Winner 1st Half - Dale Dodge, Ron Ridduck, Bill Evans, Randy Rotheisler
Winner 2nd Half - Dale Dodge, Rick Reimer, Steve Holmes, Arnie Janzen
Wednesday Night Mixed League
Winner 1st Half - Bob Hale, Sylvia Lowe, Tony Murray, Gail Barriskil
Winner 2nd Half - Grant Innes, Tracy Zandee, Fernando Anjos. Sherry Stackhouse
Friday Night Stick League
Winter Session Pool A Winner : Team Darlene/John Chapman/Pat Batchelor/Bill Ford
Winter Session Pool B Winner - Team Brad Dufour/Stan Bates
Spring Session Pool A Winner: Team Marilyn/Rick Reimer
Spring Session Pool B Winner: Team Debbie/Chris Doyharcabal
Thursday Night Men's League
League Winner - Team Haslett with Skip Kelly Haslett, Third Gary Stene, Second Patrick Campbell, and Lead Brandon Paetkau
2nd - John Surovy, Fernando Anjos, Alan Cartwright, Bill Ford
Oliver Juniors at the Summerland Junior Bonspiel
We had six Juniors take part in the Ice Halo Junior Bonspiel March 2 in Summerland. This was the first bonspiel for many of the kids, and the first time they had curled in another club other than our own. All of them had a great time and expressed their desire to continue playing in bonspiels in the future.
We had Pieter, Declan, James and Helen curl with a young curler from Kelowna named Noah. They ended up winning bronze in their division which is pictured below.
Kaysen and Delia both are a little older and we're matched with teams that are in their age range. Delia played on an all girls team from Summerland to which they played a great weekend. Kaysen played on a boys team from Summerland to which they walked away with a silver medal in their division.
This was a great experience for our kids and they were over the moon when they returned back to Tuesday junior curling toting there hardware from he past weekend.
Eastlink Curling Centre Combined Bonspiel – February 23-25 2024
After a 4-year hiatus Oliver Curling club combined bonspiel came to life. There were 16 Men’s Rinks, and
14 Ladies rinks.
Curling began on Friday afternoon at 3pm and continued into the late evening, with a final draw a
945pm. Chili and focaccia bread served from 5 to 9.
Early Saturday morning at 8:00am curling resumed and continued throughout the day with yet another
late draw at 9:45pm.
Saturday at lunch time, a small canteen was available consisting of homemade soups, hot dogs and
smokies with all the trimmings.
Saturday dinner was prepared by Savvios Family Restaurant which consisted of Beef or Chicken Souvlaki
Skewers, Rice, Roast Potatoes, Greek Salad, Caesar Salad, Tzatziki Sauce and Pita Bread. A vegetarian
pasta and Spinach salad was also available to enjoy. This wonderful meal was followed up with
homemade apple crisp and ice cream.
Sunday morning saw curling again take the ice at 8:00am, the semifinals begin 10:30, finals for the ladies
B and C event went at 12:30 followed right away at 245 finals for the Men’s A, B, C events and the final
for Ladies A event.
Lunch was available consisting of homemade soups, hot dogs, fried potatoes, chili and pasta.
Huge thank you to all the club members who made this Bonspiel a huge success, volunteers make the
events work well.
Intersection Estate Winery: Wine for the First-place winners in all Ladies and Men’s Events
Ladies A Event: PJR Contracting
From Penticton - Skip: Kitty Freeborn, Third:Donna Thornborough, Second: Nicole Douglas, Lead: Cathy Jones
Men’s A Event: Meyers Family Vineyard
From Penticton - Skip: Brad Wood, Third: Glen Brennan, Second: Darren Moffatt, Lead: Allan Pratt
Ladies B Event: Dewar Law Office
From Osoyoos - Skip: Betty Steinbart, Third: Michelle Brunschwiler, Second: Wendy Barlow, Lead: Jolly Gill
Men’s B Event: Eastlink
From Penticton - Skip: Jerry Koslowski, Third: Cy Gladish, Second: Hugh Quinn, Lead: Dean Vincent
Ladies C Event: Gerard’s Equipment Ltd
From Penticton - Skip: Michelle Pratt, Third: Annette Wood, Second: Stacey VandeCappelle, Lead: Sandy Hobbs
Men’s C Event: Arterra Wines
From Osoyoos - Skip: Kip Greenlaw, Third: Nick Warner, Second: AJ Steart, Lead: Adam Campbell
Oliver Curling club was wall represented in the finals in all events.
Thankyou to the following donors:
Shoppers Drug Mart Buy Low
Al’s Bakery Coast Hotel
Bob Hale Kim Creighton
Hester Creek Fairview Golf Course
Ken & Leanne Leroy Casorso Ranch
John & Darlene Chapman Pat & Rick Martin
Pat Stephens Thiry-one Totes
Gneiss Gehringer
Denis Buckley Desert Wolf Vineyard
REGISTRATION, and DEBENTURE SALES
before, during and after League play
BECOME PART OF THE DEBENTURE CLUB
and help get the OCC over the hogline!
Current Members:
Bill McKain, Grant Innes, Barry Berto, Brad Dufour, Randy Gushulak, Roberta Dodge, Ken Giffen, Ron Brooks, Dale Dodge, Leo Rivera, Denis Buckley, Diane Tetrault, Ken Leroy, Sharon Giffen, Al Cade, Stephen Holmes, Edward Whiteman
Board members will be available on curling days for you to become a member of this club!
Marilyn Reimer will be available for Monday & Wednesday Day Leagues as wel lasTuesday,
Wednesday and Friday evenings!
ArnieJanzen will be availablef or Monday and Thursday evenings!
2024 Montana's Brier
March 1st through 10th
Here is the link for the Teams particpating, schedule, and scores: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Montana%27s_Brier
BC Brier Champs - Brad Gushue, Mark Nicols, E.J. Harndon, Geoff Wa;lker
Results of the Mixed Spiel. Saturday. January 27th
Give Our Club a Lift 2024 Results
Overall: Skip Sylvia Lowe Third Austin Hodinsky
Second Katelyn Rose Lead Paul Morrison
2 Games Winner
Skip Leo Rivera Third Marilyn Reimer
Second Rick Reimer Lead Pat Stephen
Skip John Chapman Third Wendy Warwa
Second Arnie Janzen Lead Randy Dublack
High One Game Winner
Skip Wanda Casorso Third Dave Casorso
Second Norma Burden Lead Shane Melnuk
Friendliest Team
Skip Ernie Casorso Third Ruth Casorso
Second Steve Holmes Lead Colleen Holmes
Double Take Out
Draw 1 Grant Innes
Draw 2 Murray Soder
Draw 3 Austin Hodinsky
Draw 4 Ruth Casorso
50/50 - Sara Susak
Leads Only Prize - Colleen Holmes
Nota Bene - Bob Hale
Give our Club a Lift January 27, 2024
Thoughts from Cathy
I want to thank each and every person who took part and
competed in our fundraising bonspiel as well as those who
helped make it a success.
It was an amazing day of fun and fellowship. Our members came
through in a big way to help raise the funds for our elevator!
We had 14 mixed teams take part in the one day points spiel.
Registration was by donation with a minimum price of $35.00.
Beginning with coffee and goodies (supplied by the stick league) in
the morning, continuing with soup and buns (supplied by the ladies
league) and culminating with an amazing dinner prepared by Tony
Murray and his excellent crew. As well there were desserts also
donated by our members.
At the end of the evening the band Synergy played their first event
free of charge for us. Everyone had an amazing time.
Ross of Black Hills donated some wine and he surprised us with a
magnum of Nota Benne.
The winning teams, who all donated their winnings to our cause!
There are so many members to thank for the success of the event.
Members who helped with the planning, such as Tony who took over
the full turkey dinner, Sylvia who did the shopping and organized an
amazing group of members who came the day before to peel
potatoes and carrots etc and pitched back in the day of the event.
People like Bob Hale and Donna Peterson who moved furniture the
night before so we could make room for everyone. Bob even came
back the morning after to return everything to the rightful place.
Wanda who took the tablecloths home to wash. The unnamed
individuals who stepped up to wash the dishes. The members who
came and said “what can I do to help?”
My right hand assistant Sandy Lederer who looked after the draw and
the results, (and even curled when someone couldn’t make it that
day).
So many people to thank. I think that is an amazing part of our club.
People who are willing to step up to help a worthy cause. Thank you
very much.
A big Thank You to Cathy Pidduck and all particpants as they raised $3,412 towards the Renos!
Progress on the Renos
- insulation is in
- electical completed
- walls and ceiling drywalled and taped!
- painting complete
- doors painted and installed
- elevator has arrived and installed (see pics on Facebook at Eastlink Curling Centre -
Home of the Oliver Curling Club)
- electical inspection will be done shortly
- certification hopefuuly early this month
- bathroom fixtures. etc will follow shortly
- siding to be installed in the Spring
FROM YOUR OCC EXECUTIVE
LAST MEETING DATE: JANUARY 9, 2024
• FUNDRAISING: Turkey Shoot raised $411.71 bringing the total for card sales,
Grey Cup party, etc. to over $2,300.00. Donations through Sport BC for tax
receipts to date total $12,350. Members considering donating their recyclables,
please do so before the end of January. The cut off date for matching the
$35,000 is January 31st. The Sipology teas fundraiser cut of is January
19th. Orders can be placed through their website.
• DEBENTURE SALES: Please contact Brad Dufour if you are willing to support
this effort. So far purchases have reached $13,500.00.
• COMBINED BONSPIEL: Volunteers needed to join a committee to make this a
fun & successful event. Please contact Diane Tetreault (250-408-9621).
• VOLUNTEER HOURS: A reminder to all curlers of your responsibility to do 4
hours of volunteering over the season. Contact event coordinators or look at the
sign-up sheets on the bulletin boards to do your part.
• BOARD RECRUITMENT: Marilyn Reimer has joined the board. Jerry Dober is
moving & has left the board resulting in another vacancy.
• HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS: Nominations are being accepted for this
prestigious award until February 29th. The list of criteria is posted on the bulletin
board. Forward nominations to the board.
• CURL BC MONTHLY 50/50 DRAW: Get your tickets for this month, winning
number to be drawn the 15th of each month. As of January 28th, it’s $4,650.
• WEB SITE: www.olivercurlingclub.org Check it out!
8 teams came to participate: 3 from Oliver, 3 from Osoyoos and 2 from Penticton.
They played 2 games each in a points bonspiel.
The Overall Winner was a team from our club led by Diane Tetreault, Third Pat Batchelor, Second Marilyn Reimer and Lead Pat Stephens.
The other 2 game winner was a team from Osoyoos led by Betty Steinbaet and the High One Game Winner was the team from Penticton led by Karla Hewer.
It was nice to see that we had one main winner from each club represented.
The Friendliest Team was also from Oliver and they were playing in their first ever bonspiel Skip Donna Peterson, Third Ruth Casorso, Second Leanne Pond and Lead Sara Susan.
Marilyn Reimer seemed to do fairly well this year. As well as being on the winning team she won the double take out prize in the morning and again in the afternoon game. She also won the 50/50.
As we were using this Bonspiel as a fundraiser for our Accessibility Campaign, I am happy to report that we are giving the club $568.30.
We were able to achieve this because members of our club stepped up and very generously donated products and prizes.
If we had to pay out of pocket for all of the expenses, we would break even. Bottles of wine, baked goods and other items helped keep our costs down and I want to thank each member who helped out.
For myself, I would like to thank Pat Martin for helping the day prior to do set up and decorations. Sandy Lederer not only made soup, she also helped with scoring and prizes and disappeared into the kitchen to wash all of the dishes!
Marilyn and Rick Reimer were amazing as usual. Leo Rivera ended up being in charge of registration and had Rick helping him.
Our club members are amazing and we couldn’t do what we do, without them!
This $568.30 will help us get closer to that $35,000 and be able to double the value
Fundraising Events: Accessibility Project Fund Raising
BC Amateur Sports Fund
Our project’s fundraising page has BC Amateur Sports Fund been set up here: http://support.
Debenture Program
A Debenture Program is being set up as well and will be available shortly!
Please help us finish this project if you are able financially! BC Amateur Sports offers tax receipts while the OCC Board is working on some type of return for your Debenture Investment shortly!
Fundraising Events/Give the Club a lift.
BC Amateur Sports Fund: Our project’s fundraising page has BC Amateur Sports Fund been set up here: http://support.
$500 debentures with 3% return available. Call Brad Dufour @ 778-439-2033
Donate directly to the club via e-transfer to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or
Cheque's can be mailed to: Oliver Curling Club
735 McKinney Road
Oliver BC, V0H 1T3
A challenge was put forth to match any funds raised up to $35000, by January 31st/2024
Sipology Fundraising –
https://fundraise-ca.sipology.com/collections/oliver-curling-club
Bottle Drive/Recycling:
SIPOLOGY - For the Tea drinkers.
Loose Leaf Tea's and accessories.
Each item is $15 each, our club receives $6 (40%). Shipping is only $3.00. Get some friends together and order together.
Order directly from this website: https://fundraise-ca.sipology.
Makes great Christmas Gifts or with cooler weather coming enjoy yourself
Bottle Drive/Recycling:
Donate your beverage containers. Simply put your used containers in a transparent bag, attach a label & deposit it in an express bin. Free used bags are available at the recycle centre & you can print a bag tag there using #2504982244 or pick up tags at the OCC bar.
Important Dates to remember in 2024:
Year-end wind-up – March 23rd (more details to come)
Kiwanis Donation
The Kiwanis Club of Oliver donated $20,000. The presentation wasmade at the OCC Lounge Wednesday, December 13, 2024.
In attendance OCC members as well as the Special Olympics Curlers who are sponsored by Kiwanis. Kiwanis Members in attendance were President Russell Newcombe, Lee Chic, Megan Wagner, Larry Larson, Fiona Wood, and Travis Block president of the Aktion Club!
Vice President of the Oliver Curling Club Brad Dufour accepting the $20 000 cheque from Kiwanis President Russel Newcombe!
Brad Dufour being presented with the same cheque from Travis Block President of the Aktion Club.
Also a substantial donation from the Day League. Presentation of $1 000 being made by Wanda Casorso and Cathy Thompson to Brad Dufour.
The Oliver Curling Club has launched an exciting project to expand our building to be able to add a two story elevator and accessible washrooms.
December 13, 2023
The Oliver Curling Club Society is a non-profit organization that has managed and
operated the Oliver Curling Club since 1970.
The Oliver Curling Club continues to evolve as a key part of our community infrastructure.
Through the years our volunteer, non-profit society has embarked on numerous projects to
help provide our community with quality year-round recreational and social facilities.
This building is a community facility that is used by many people from our town as well as
the surrounding area. The OCCS is involved in the community by providing opportunities
for young people and adults to get involved in curling through our school programs and
new curler events. The curling club is currently working with the elementary school learn
to curl program (200 participants), Special Olympics Learn to Curl (35 Participants), adult
learn to curl (45 participants) and will continue to work with Oliver Parks and Rec to
provide our building for the Summer Sun Fun program for youth.
The Oliver Curling Club recently broke ground on a project to put on an addition to our
building which will house an elevator, increasing accessibility to the second-floor hall area.
The current planning is a two-phase project which includes the addition of an elevator and
accessible washrooms on the second level in the first phase and the next phase would be to
update the upper-level kitchen and bar facilities to bring them up to date with current
standards.
The addition of an elevator to the building as well as accessible washrooms on both levels
will showcase our community as leaders in providing access to persons with mobility
challenges. Once completed this building will be a completely modern curling facility
serving the south Okanagan community that is completely accessible on both levels.
This project is being managed by the OCCS Board of directors and construction committee
members.
The town of Oliver has reviewed the planning and issued the required permits to enable us
to proceed with construction.
The accessibility project construction and upstairs renovations has been estimated to cost
$365,000 plus any applicable taxes. The OCCS has received a grant of $100,000 from the
Federal Government to assist us in getting this project started. We currently have donor
support of over $100,000 and will continue to fund raise to complete both phases of this
project.
The Oliver Curling Club Society would like to thank the Kiwanis Club of Oliver for their
recent donation of $20,000. We would also like to thank the Town of Oliver for their Grant
in Aid support of $4,488.50.
This is a very large project for the Oliver Curling Club Society to take on and we are actively
soliciting donations to the project. Any donation no matter what size will be appreciated.
You can donate directly to the Oliver Curling Club at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you would like income tax deductible receipts, please make your donations through Sports BC at
the following link
https://sportbc.com/bcamateursportfund/projects/
Our project number is P0500 – OCC Community Lift
Thankyou
Brad Dufour
Vice President
Oliver Curling Club Society
OLIVER CURLING CLUB GIVE THE CLUB A LIFT CHALLENGE
To improve accessability to OCC with the addition of an elevator, expanded and refitted washrooms, and on ice access
Funding Goal
$360,000
Funds raised to date:
Give the Club a Lift Spiel $ 3 412
Bartender's Tips $ 574.85
Sipology $ 294
Matching Donor Challenge $ 35,000
Funding Grant $100,000
Bonspiel $ 3,500
Anonymous Donor $100,000
Learn to Curl $ 200
Grey Cup Party $ 900
Stick Bonspiel $ 649.58
Snowman Bonspiel $ 568.30
Turkey Shoot $ 411.71
BC Amateur Sport Fund $ 12,350 (tax receipt given)
Town of Oliver $ 4 488.50
Debenture Sales $ 13,500
Kiwanis $ 20 000
Day League $ 1 000
An Anonymous Donor has submitted a Challenge to make matching donations in any amount up to and/or exceeding their donaton of $35,000
CURL BC 50/50 RAFFLE - Monthly 50/50 - January 15 - February 14, 2024
Winner gets half! Get your tickets and raise money for our club! Next draw is December 15th!
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- Curl BC Monthly 50/50 raffle - January 15 - February 14, 2024
- Click here to buy your tickets!
Remember, not only are you in with a chance to win, but your contribution directly impacts your local curling club.
And the Bonspieling has begun!
Oliver Curling Club’s 1st Annual Open Stick Bonspiel
Held Sunday, December 10th, 2023 with a full slate of 16 teams - 6 from Oliver, 5 from Osoyoos, and 5 from Penticton. Approximately $650 will turned over to the Accessibilty Fund! A huge THANK YOU to all the volunteers that helped put this on donating their time and providing all the goodies to make this Spiel a huge success!
1st Hugh Quinn Kat Lefebvre
2nd Place Larry Martin Al Finlayson
3rd Place Wanda and Rob Marshall
4th Place Donna Cooke Pat Stephen
Most Consistent Bob Elliot Lex Cousins
Penticton Ladies Bonspiel
Penticton Ladies Bonspiel B Winners - Team skipped by Diane Tetreault with Sylvia Lowe,Pat Batchelor, and Marilyn Reimer! Congratulations Ladies!
.
Cathy Pidduck introducing Chester Draper Wheel Chair Curler from Osoyoos as well as Megan Donesley who is now a grade 12 student at SOSS. Megan was OCC's first Wheel Chair curler as a Grade 6 student
Construction updates:
Project is 1-week ahead of schedule. Russell Moore and his team will take a 4 day weekend around Remembrance Day
Walls are coming up! October 31
Footings and foundation completed. Elevator framing in process. Slab for the new entrance to be poured next week.
What a great way to start the 2023 - 2024 Curling Season. An 8 ender in the the first game of the season in the 4th end. The Mike Johnson team, in the Monday Night Corporate League, was able to pull off this feat against the Larry McFadden team!
Vacant Club Positions
Help! (a) Club Rentals (b) Caretaker (c) Club Manager -Job Description will be posted shortly. Here's your chance to work off your Volunteer Hours!(d) Fund Raising Committee Members
Renovations have started. Excavation began Monday, October 2nd! Please use the side door til renovations are complete!
* * * * *News* * * * *
We are now linked to the Town of Oliver Website (www.oliver.ca). Click on their Website. Then click on Our Community, then to Oliver Parks and Recreation. Once you are there click on the Links and then Recreation. Scroll down to Eastlink Curling Centre! And there we have it!
Curling Bonspiels have started on the Pro Circuit! If you want to see what`s happening, follow this Link:Curling Zone - https://www.curlingzone.com/
Ladies League First Half Champions: Kim Creighton, Donna Peterson, Jennifer Seminoff, Sylvia Lowe
Ladies League Second Half Champions:
Presenter Cathy Thompson, Marilyn Reimer, Pat Batchelor, Diane Tetreault Absent Kim Creighton
Day League Champions:
Monday First Half: Ron Riddoch, (skip) Diane Tetreault, Greig Sheppard, absent: Kim Creighton
Wednesday First Half: : Innes Harvey (skip) Bob Hale, Jean Lederer absent: Bryan Coles,
Monday Second Half: Diane Tetreault, Sharon Giffen, Jean Lederer, Randy Rotheisler
Wednesday Second Half: Ron Brooks, Bryon Coles, Jean Lederer, Bill Michael
Corporate League Champions:
A: Edward Jones - Leo Rivera, Brian Pawluk, David Machial, Dave McCombe, alternate John Surovy
B: Riverstone Winery
C: Black Hills
Mixed League Champions:
First Half: Dave Wilson, Sylvia Lowe, Tony Murray, Gail Barriskill
Second Half: Dave Wilson, Sylvia Lowe, Tony Wilson, Pat Aldridge
Men's League Champions:
First Half and Second Half: Bob Shanks, (skip) Dale Dodge, Arnie Janzen, absent: Marc Carriere,
1970 - 1971 First Men's League Champs at the Oliver Curling Club
From Left to Right: Bill Collens - second, Charlton McNaughton - lead, Dick Goodall - Skip, John Chapman - third
Stick League Champions: Cathy and Arnie Janzen Runners Up :Helen and John Foreman
Linda Gallant of Triple E Farms had a table with dried fruit, parsley, and tomatoes. Also cherry, pear, and apple jelly. All proceeds were donated to the Curling Club! In the background you will see a shamrock with scratch and win tickets attached. There were 3 such shamrocks. Playing cards were used for the ticket sales. Each shamrock generated $104.00. The scratch and win tickets were donted by Tony Murray. Along with these was a 50/50 draw which generated over $250.00 to the club!
Leo Rivera Farewell
President Arnie Janzen presenting Leo Rivera with an engraved Travel Mug commemorating his 26 years of service to OCC. At right John Surovy is toasting Leo for his contributions to the club!
Donna Cooke presenting a card from long time friend Donnie Heaven. On the right Murray Soder and Leo Rivera - the 2 oldest members present!
A well deserved standing O for a fine gentleman and a hard worker for the Curling Club. Leo is moving to Lac Du Bonnett, Manitoba to be with his two children and grandkids. In Lac Du Bonnett he will be reunited with the Rivera Clan! We will miss you Leo!
50 Years of Curling in Oliver
1968 to 1970
The idea of building a curling rink in Oliver began in 1968. Many of curlers who had been participating in their favourite sport for many years in Osoyoos and Summerland felt Oliver had grown enough to have a club of their own. https://eastlinkcurlingcentre.ca/images/001-e1442981646221.jpg" width="500" height="406" /> A committee was formed to explore the feasibility of such an idea. The initial Society was comprised of the following members: President: Eric Bastian Vice-President: Dick Goodall Secretary: Stu Mould Treasurer: Dave Francis Directors: Fred Fritz, Bill Andrews, Roy Becker; Mel Skaros, John Fritz, Ray Anderson, Blaine Francis, John Loudon, Dick Topping, Joe Fefchak , Willie Nunweiler, Bob Wheeler, Ewart Bowering and others were early supporters. Shopkeeper Sam Noel purchased first debenture.
Initially the club attempted to come to an agreement with a Elks Lodge to construct a multi-purpose facility. An agreement could not be reached and the group decided to raise funds in the community. Members who could not afford a debenture bought memberships for $100. Members who could not afford this were able to pay $10 monthly on instalments. The proposal was to build a four-sheet rink that would be located adjacent to the planned skating arena. By 1969, the Committee had sold $52,000 in debentures and $22,000 in memberships, and negotiated a bank loan for $5,000. A decision was made to proceed with the planning of the building. On April 7th, 1970 a Special Meeting was held to consider the proposed plans for the four-sheet curling rink. The proposal was approved. Construction began 2 months later on June 5th under the supervision of Seidler Construction.
1970
On June 4th, construction began with an estimated cost for the facility of $84,000. Volunteer hours totalled 10,000. Work parties began at 6:00 pm 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 tax money was used to build or maintain the building. The rink does stands 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 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 was elected as the First President of the Ladies Club. (FYI -the Bastiens are the parents of Joyce Kuzyk and Joan Firman). 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 rink. By [November], the Curling Club was in full swing.
November 1970 saw the official ribbon-cutting ceremony held with many dignitaries from neighbouring clubs in attendance. This was the kick-off to the first Mixed Bonspiel with 40 teams in attendance from the Okanagan and Boundary Regions and as far away as Revelstoke, Trail and the Coast. This had been preceded 2 weeks earlier by the first Club Mixed Bonspiel that hosted 32 teams composed of club members. The entry fee was set at $10 per rink. The “A” team winners appropriately were the Bastien Team with President Eric Bastien, which included his wife Helen with Charlie and Phyllis Miller.
During the balance of the curling season, several well-attended bonspiels were held, including the Kinsman, the first Men’s Open, and the first Ladies’ Open. Of note, the club’s first 8-ender was achieved during the Men’s Night League by the Bob Armstrong team, which included John Rotheisler, Dave Nicholas and Ted Mickolas.
From 1970 to 1975, the club was doing so well that Awards Night was held in the Legion Hall. The club lacked the space and had insufficient chairs and tables.
In 1975, four 1000-watt heaters were installed in the corners of the ice shed, to the delight of all members, who had been grumbling about the cold.
When the new curling season started in 1976, curlers were greeted by newly redecorated upstairs and downstairs lounges. Boards around the ice had been painted by the ladies. The upstairs lounge area had been redecorated to improve acoustics and ventilation. The walls were finished in cedar siding and the ceiling was finished in cork tiles. The President at the time, Murray Soder, reported that the work had been carried out by club members on a volunteer basis. In the same year, club member Dick Topping was inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame for his involvement and dedication in running the Canadian School Boy Curling Championships.
The Day League that is so popular with members today began in 1977. The avid curlers in the Oliver Club wrapped up the club’s seventh year of operations with a steak dinner and awards night in their newly renovated upstairs lounge.
A new ceiling was put over the ice surface in 1981 resulting in better lighting and noise reduction. Corn brooms could be very loud.
1980 – 1990
The two most significant things to happen were the insulation (1980) and subsequent painting (1984) of the ice shed ceiling with fire retardant paint. Previously the ceiling was just truss rafters with nothing in them. Volunteer club members rolled scaffolding on plywood sheets over the sand floor with a crew of volunteers working to install the ceiling. A Gyproc firewall was installed between the lounge area and the ice surface area. It took almost a month for volunteers working evenings and weekends to complete the job. In 1981, volunteers installed insulation on the walls of the ice shed immediately after the curling season ended. Neil Seidler of Seidler Construction was then hired to install the present panelling (over the insulation) that is on the walls. A year later, volunteers from the club painted the panelling
1982.
The club’s second eight ender was scored by June James, Leonie Soder, Ida Szmata and Jackie Kilgour .
1985
In 1985 the Jodie Sutton team, Julie Sutton, Dawn Rubner and Tammy Hagel won the Provincial High School Girls Championship. They then went on to win the Canadian Junior Womens Championship.
1986
Jodie Sutton repeated winning the Provincial High School Girls Championship in 1986 with Julie Sutton, Teresa Zeibart and Michelle Surovy. The same year, Jodie Sutton also won the Provincial Junior Ladies Championship with Julie Sutton, Dawn Rubner and Chris Thompson following it up with winning the Canadian Junior Womens Championship.
The Provincial Senior Ladies Championship was won by Pearl Quintal and her team comprised of Mary Skaros, Leonie Soder and June James.
1987
In 1987 the Junior Girls Provincial Championships again was won by Julie Sutton and her team of Judy Wood, Susan Auty, and Marla Geiger. They went on to win the Canadian Junior Womens Championship.
1988
The 1st World Junior Womens Championship was won by Julie Sutton, Judy Wood, Susan Auty, and Marla Geiger.
1989
Scott Tournament of Hearts won by Julie Sutton, Pat Sanders, Georgina Hawkes, Melissa Soligo
1990
Senior Men’s Zone was won by George Hagel, Bob Bourgeault, Murray Soder, Doug Weeks.
1970 through 2022
The new millennium brought the latest building upgrades that enabled the club to cement and enlarge the ice surface. International-sized ice could allow the facility to be used for practice sites for Olympians coming to B.C. The building and downstairs washrooms became wheelchair accessible. The Town of Oliver allowed the club to have summer rental in the downstairs area for the children’s Sun Fun group organized by the Parks and Rec. This helped with the club’s maintenance costs.
Improvements to the club cost $150,000 in cash and $150,000 in sweat equity by the hard-working members. Over 50 years, it is estimated that approximately 20,000 men and ladies from all parts of the Interior and the Coast were entertained by participating in our Men’s, Ladies and Mixed Bonspiels. In addition, for more than 20 years, the Knights of Columbus, Kinsmen, Legion and Heart and Stroke organizations had annual bonspiels that entertained an additional 5,000-plus curlers. BC Tel and West Kootenay Power also had their weekend bonspiel at our club for many years. The club has provided an estimated 10,000 person years of winter recreation through our club leagues during the regular season. We are immensely proud of our facility and also very thankful to all of the volunteers who have stepped up and willingly gave of their expertise and time to keep the club going year after year. A big thank you to all!
Story contributed by Johanne Smith published as 50 Years of Curling in Oliver. Published and edited by John Surovy
Click on this link if you would like to get information on how to donate to the New Handicap Accessible edition to the Oliver Curling Club! Any donation would be appreciated!
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********* OLIVER CURLING CLUB GIVE THE CLUB A LIFT CHALLENGE **********
To improve accessability to OCC with the addition of an elevator, expanded and refitted washrooms, and on ice access
Funding Goal
$360,000
Funds raised to date:
Matching Donor Challenge $ 35,000
Funding Grant $100,000
Bonspiel $ 3,500
Anonymous Donor $100,000
An Anonymous Donor has submitted a Challenge to make matcing donations in any amount up to and/or exceeding their donaton of $35,000
********** MUSICAL BINGO - OCC FUNDRAISER **********
Saturday, February 18th, 5:30 pm
Potluck Dinner - See the Bulletin Board at OCC
Sign up sheet on the Bulletin Board at the OCC
Tickets $10.00 per person available from Diane Tetreault or the OCC Bar
FYI: Hey Curlers!
Have you checked your Brush Head lately? Take a look! Is it black and gummed up looking? If it is, your brushing is less effective! Have I got a tip for you! Get a bottle of VIM Cream. Squirt directly onto the surface or damp sponge. Rub gently. Rinse thoroughly and wipe clean promptly. And there it is looking as good as new!
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Our Location
735 McKinney Road
Oliver, BC
V0H 1T3
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Phone: 250-498-2244
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