St. John's Curling Association (N.L.)

The St. John's Curling Association, commonly known as the St. John's Curling Club, was established on 8 July 1910 when two men's clubs, the Terra Nova Curling Club (fl. 1863-) and the Micmac Curling Club (established 188-), voted to amalgamate at a joint meeting. The consitution and the by-laws of the Association were adopted at that same meeting. The Association was incorporated under The Companies Act.

The mandate of the St. John's Curling Association was to foster and promote curling in the city. Throughout its history, it has also raised monies for the war effort and various city charities. Although the St. John's Curling Association maintained close relationships with the Ladies' Curling Club (organized 1906) and cooperated in hosting many curling events, the latter was not totally integrated until 1959. The first woman president, Jane M. Martin, was elected in 1982.

From 1912-1941 the Association leased their facilities from the Newfoundland Curling Rink Ltd. The curling rink was located on Forest Road, next to the Prince's Skating Rink. The Association purchased the curling rink in the fall of 1941, but on 28 Nov., before the curling season commenced, the rink was destroyed by fire. On 25 Jan.1943, the Association officially opened their new rink on Factory Lane. To help finance the new facility, public skating and dancing were offered at the rink. This continued until 1955, a year after the St. John's Memorial Stadium was opened. In 1976 the old rink was sold and the Association constructed a new facility on Bonaventure Avenue, which was officially opened on 22 Oct. 1976.

Albert H. Salter (1877-1940), the first secretary-treasurer, commenced the systematic recording of the Association's activities. These records were stored at the club building until 1941, when Peter Ledingham, the honourary secretary, rescued them from the fire. At the request of the Association, a pictorial history, Through curling years, the 75th, was written by Clifford K. Andrews in 1986.

The Association currently is governed by a five-person executive elected at the annual general meeting. The Committee of Management, consisting of the executive, past-president, and six elected members, is responsible for club activities and curling arrangements and regulations. They also appoint appropriate sub-committees. The Committee is assisted by an elected advisory board.

Created - April 26, 2013

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