O’LEARY, P.E.I. (by Eric McCarthy)— From needing to anchor the rafters of the club house with a cable attached to a sand truck, to rebuilding the curling shed twice, there was a long gap between deciding to build the Maple Leaf Curling Club and throwing that first stone.

Clair Sweet, a member of the Maple Leaf Curling Club from before it opened, throws some practice rocks. The club is hosting a 40th-anniversary bonspiel this weekend, hoping to attract 40 teams. – Eric McCarthy

Construction of the ice shed started in 1976, but, with all the wind damage, it was December of the 1978-79 curling season before the 112 first-year members were able to join the roaring game. Nine of those original members are still playing the game, including four who made the shift to stick curling which has seen a great rise in popularity.

This year, the junior program has 25 youth curlers who receive coaching by club members and parental volunteers. 

An introduction to curling for newcomers has started this year with positive results.

Sweet is part of a committee planning 40^th anniversary celebrations for the club this weekend, Feb. 7 to 10. He has been a member from the start and still curls competitively. He’s been on the club’s executive for many years, including nine as president.

This weekend, to celebrate the club’s 40^th anniversary, club members are going back through its lists and contacting former members and bonspiel participants, inviting them back for an anniversary bonspiel sponsored by the Centennial Auto Group, which is also celebrating 40 years.

Organizers have already achieved the initial target of 32 teams for the event and are still holding out hope of hitting 40.

There will be mussels and entertainment Friday evening, Saturday afternoon entertainment and a Saturday evening steak barbecue. Teams and individuals who have not yet registered have until Tuesday to do so and can call the club at 902-859-3012.

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