Members reflect on memories at Granite Curling Club

The last rocks have been thrown at a Saskatoon curling club.

Lisa Beres, the president of the Granite Curling Club, said because of decreased membership and flooring damage that would’ve been too expensive to repair, the building was closed in the fall of 2022.

Then, earlier this year, board members decided to sell the property to the Queen City Pickleball Group.

Since its opening in 1929, the club has been home for many local curlers. Mike Finney said he joined the club in the late 1980s while he was in university.

Some of Finney’s best memories were made while sipping a beer with his friends in the club’s lounge.

Thirty years later, he still remembers the hospitality from his bartender, Max, who would decorate the lounge’s walls with photos of the members.

(Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)

A special part of the club is the Granite Kitchen, he explained, and the memories made with those working in it.

“I hope Randy still runs the kitchen because they make the best wonton soup ever,” Finney said, adding he’s enjoyed other recipes like carrot cake from previous kitchen owners.

According to the club’s president, the kitchen’s current owners have been asked to stay as the new business moves in.

Brian Graves called the curling club home for more than 25 years, and said he was shocked when he heard the club was closing its doors.

To him, it was more than just a place to curl; the camaraderie between the members is what made it feel like a family.

“It’s really the other members and the teams that you played against that really bring a lot of the memories back,” he said.

Graves said some of his fondest memories were curling with his team on Tuesday nights.

He also acted as the club’s president between 2004 and 2005.

“Understanding and overseeing the operations of the club back in those days was a memorable time,” he said.

This week, the club hosted an open house for members to come down and collect memories such as trophies, pictures or curling rocks with their names engraved on them.

Graves said the stone he had engraved with his mother’s name brings back memories of her every time he uses it.

Beres said the building will still look the same after the ownership is transferred Saturday as the building is not being demolished.