In the new millennium, the Granite Curling Club will celebrate 80 successful years of promoting the sport of curling in the City of Edmonton. Its goal has been to raise public awareness of curling by hosting premier curling events.

The Granite Curling Club was founded in 1920, making it one of the oldest curling clubs in the city and the province of Alberta. On April 24, 1920, a Certificate of Incorporation was duly issued under the seal of the Registrar of Companies for the Granite. The first issue of shares was offered almost a year later on April 4, 1921. Club members bought 194 shares. The Granite Curling Club officially opened for curling on Monday, December 20, 1920. At the end of the fiscal year, the Granite recorded a remarkable net income of $2,638. The Granite Curling Club proved to have a promising outlook in the following years with its true sportsmanship, friendly competitiveness and winning honours. The Granite established itself as a first-class social and recreational facility. Incorporation of the Granite Curling Club as a non-profit organization occurred in 1953 under the Societies Act.

The Granite Curling Club is known for being an innovator in the sport of curling, with many historical firsts:

The Granite Curling Club has been host to several high profile Provincial and National Events such as the 1991 Junior Provincials, 1994 Provincial Mixed, 1996 Canadian Juniors and 1998 Provincial Men’s Championships. These major events held at the Granite have drawn a considerable fan following and support ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 spectators per event. The Granite hosts approximately 1,700 curlers and guests a week in other Granite Curling Club events and league play. Corporate social and entertainment functions are also available throughout the year.

To fulfill its mandate of promoting the sport of curling, the Granite Curling Club must remain competitive in bidding for major curling events. This can only be achieved with major financial support from the corporate sector. The considerable media interest and community involvement at major events provides many benefits for corporate partners:

• Partner designation for the event on all promotional material and event advertising
• Rink signage for the event and duration of the current season for Granite Curling Club play
• Company name will be mentioned in media promotional announcements
• Company promotional materials will be given in the event registration package
• Company logo will be featured in print advertisements
• Association with successful athletes

Corporate partner sponsorships with the Granite have included the following corporations:

• Safeway· Pepsi Cola
• Bank of Montreal· Waterloo Mercury Lincoln
• Investors Group· Edmonton Journal
• Seagram· 630 CHED
• Husky Oil· CFRN Television
• Kraft Canada· KPMG
• Labatt· The Sign Gallery
• Coca Cola Beverages· Inland

The Granite Curling Club has overcome many obstacles in its past, but still faces a few problems today. Previously, the Granite encountered structural difficulties with its building. There was frost on the roof and the use of natural ice gave way to unseasonable thaws. Both issues were solved with the renovations done in 1957 and the use of artificial ice in 1945. The Granite Curling Club also had the financial question of how to keep the club solvent in its early years. This dilemma was resolved by issuing more shares in 1945. Problems that are relevant to the Granite of today are finding a suitable draw over the season, keeping up enthusiasm until the last game and keeping pace with the demands for a modern and improved building and facility. The Granite Curling Club is currently working on these obstacles to improve its position.

The Granite Curling Club is pursuing opportunities to collaborate with corporate supporters to bring the World Curling Tour Event, TSN Skins Games and the Canadian Senior Men’s Curling Championships to Edmonton. With its competitive advantages and great track record of delivering exciting major events, the Granite is likely to succeed in its bid for these ventures. The Granite’s unique combination of history and vision will lead to another prosperous 80 years for all levels of curlers.