Curling a long-standing tradition in Norwood
The Norwood Curling Club hosted a well-attended open house at their Alma Street Rink this past weekend. The free event gave the public an opportunity to try out and to learn about the sport of curling. The club will be operating their Learn to Curl Program again this year; the program provides comprehensive ‘on ice’ instruction as well as an explanation of rules of play, etiquette and scoring. The program will run from 1to 3 p.m. on each Sunday in November starting on November 4. Cost is $40 per person. Regular Sunday afternoon league play will begin in December.
The sport of curling has a longstanding tradition in Norwood. Early records indicate that organized curling was taking place in the village in the mid to late 1800s and it is seems likely that Norwood’s Mill Pond witnessed the delivery of the first rocks in the village. Construction of the first man made arena took place in 1890, funded by area business men the large covered building served as both a skating and curling rink, at the time it was said to be the largest of its kind in Ontario. Located behind the Norwood Town Hall where the Municipal parking lot is today, it lasted until March of 1904 when 20 inches of snow and freezing rain fell overnight and the roof collapsed under the weight (no one was hurt).
The next curling/skating rink was an open air one, built in the lot behind the Roxburgh building on Highway 7 (the building across from the Liquor Store). Several years later a third rink, again an open air affair was created on Finlay Factory property on Cedar St., approximately where the quonset-styled building is beside the carwash.
Interest in both curling and hockey continued to increase and the need for a new covered rink became apparent, in 1929-30 the demand was met with the construction of a large wooden structure located at 36 Spring St. This building was used as Norwood’s hockey and curling rink until the late 1950’s when the need for some expensive repairs made it more feasible to demolish it. In 1959 the G.A. Brethen Coliseum was built on the fair grounds. This was the village’s first building with man-made ice.
The coliseum also continued the tradition of serving double duty as a hockey and curling rink until the late 60’s when curling moved to the fairs exhibition building. By the mid-1970s the desire for a dedicated curling rink was very strong in the community. A committee was stuck and plans were put in motion to build a 160 foot long, four sheet rink to be called the Norwood Centennial Sports Complex.
With a total cost of nearly
$350,000 the committee had their work cut out for them, first an agreement was arranged with the Norwood Agricultural Society that would allow the new building to be built on the fair property and attached to the old Armouries. The committee’s determination resulted in acquiring a grant of $174,000 from the old Wintario Lottery foundation, while the remaining funding came through community support, fundraisers and other initiatives. The official opening of the complex on June 3, 1978 was one of the highlights not only in the Curling Clubs history but also as the largest centennial project for the 100th anniversary of Norwood in 1978. The Armouries also received a major renovation as part of the project with the creation of a kitchen, washrooms, lounge and bar area. While little has changed to the outside of the building, the inside has received its share of renovations and improvements over the years, such as new paint an enclosed bar area, new furnaces, an updated kitchen, on ice lighting plus updates and improvements to the ice plant. In 2010 the Norwood Agricultural Society constructed an addition to the front of the Armouries joining them to the fairs old exhibition building. This addition provided the Norwood Fair and the Sports Complex with new modern washrooms and a new and inviting entrance way.
The Norwood Centennial Sports Complex continues to serve as a valuable amenity in the community. At fair time it houses the school fair, vegetable and grain competitions as well as a variety of vendors; during the curling season it reverts back to its true purpose as home to a vibrant and dynamic curling club. The club hosts men’s, ladies, mixed and novice league play each week as well as hosting dozens of bonspiels and entertaining hundreds of visiting curlers throughout the season. Hurry-hard!
CWL Bazaar
The annual Norwood/Havelock Catholic Woman’s League Christmas Bazaar will be held on Saturday, in the Millennium Room at the Community Centre, 88 Alma St. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come in for lunch or just for a quick coffee break and browse the many tables of crafts, baking rummage and attic treasures. Lunch is $7 for adult and will include chili, dessert and tea or coffee or for $4 just enjoy the dessert and the tea or coffee. Children 10 and under are half price. General admission (without lunch or dessert) is $2. There will also be plenty of ticket draws and prizes. Everyone is welcome.
An evening of music
Knox Presbyterian Church, 15 George Street East in Havelock will host “Friends Sharing Songs of Blessings” Friday at 7 p.m. It will be a delightful evening of music and fellowship as a nine piece Church Band from St. John’s Anglican Church, Lakefield will provide the entertainment with a large variety of music and singing, plus they will be sharing stories of Old Spirituals, Gospel Songs and Hymns. Donations will be collected with the proceeds going to the Havelock Food Bank. Light refreshments to follow, invite your friends as all are welcome.