Growing the Game at the Hudson Bay Curling Club

Hudson Bay Curling Club: Grassroots Pride in Action

In Hudson Bay, curling is more than a sport — it’s a part of life. For decades, the Hudson Bay Curling Club has been a gathering place where neighbors meet, families play, and friendships are built on and off the ice. It’s where the sound of stones sliding and brooms sweeping fills the rink with laughter, connection, and community pride.

At its heart, the Hudson Bay Curling Club is powered by volunteers and families who believe in what curling brings to their town. In a small community like Hudson Bay, the club isn’t just a place to curl — it’s a social hub and a symbol of togetherness. Whether it’s a family bonspiel, a youth program, or an afternoon drop-in league, the club continues to prove that the strongest ice is built on community spirit.

One of the club’s greatest success stories has been its commitment to youth. A few years ago, the club introduced a Youth Learn to Curl program with one simple goal: make curling easy and fun for kids to try. The program began with low costs, no equipment needed, and a short weekly commitment to make it accessible for busy families. Over time, it grew beyond expectations. Kids who started out sliding their first stones are now joining the club’s Junior Curling Program, which runs multiple days a week.

These young curlers are not only learning the game — they’re inspiring their families to reconnect with curling. Parents and grandparents have returned to the rink to volunteer, coach, and cheer them on, rekindling the town’s multigenerational love for the sport. “We’re seeing more kids come, and they’re bringing their siblings, cousins, and even grandparents back into the club,” said club representative Mitch. “It’s becoming a family tradition again.”

The club’s dedication to keeping things affordable and accessible has been key to its success. Free or low-cost events, such as their annual Family Day Bonspiel, have become local favorites. Teams are required to include two curlers under 16, making it a fun and inclusive way for families to spend the day together. Afterward, participants gather for pizza, prizes, and stories — the kind of simple joy that reminds everyone why curling means so much to small-town Saskatchewan.

The Hudson Bay Curling Club also understands that inclusivity goes beyond youth. Recognizing that late-night draws don’t always work for everyone, they reintroduced an afternoon drop-in league for seniors and retirees. With coffee, laughter, and friendly competition, it’s become a comfortable space for curlers who might have thought their days on the ice were behind them.

Like many rural clubs, Hudson Bay faces challenges — from rising costs and grant dependency to volunteer fatigue — but their perseverance is what makes their story inspiring. Despite financial hurdles, the club continues to thrive thanks to the hard work of its volunteers, who write grants, organize fundraisers, and keep the doors open. “Running a curling facility is expensive, but we have a small, dedicated group that does everything we can to make it work,” said Mitch.

Looking ahead, the Hudson Bay Curling Club is dreaming big. They’re working to modernize their facility, upgrading the kitchen and bathrooms so they can host more events and bring bigger competitions to town. Their goal is to create a space that can serve not just as a curling club, but as a gathering place for the entire community.

At its core, Hudson Bay’s story is a testament to what grassroots curling truly means. It’s about community spirit, hard work, and the belief that the rink is more than just a building — it’s where connections are made and where the next generation of curlers takes its first slide down the ice.

From youth programs to family events, from volunteers to lifelong members, the Hudson Bay Curling Club is a shining example of what happens when a community rallies behind its ice. It’s small-town Saskatchewan at its finest — warm, welcoming, and proudly curling strong.

Three Ways Hudson Bay Curling Club is Growing the Game

1. Youth-first approach — creating programs that help kids fall in love with curling early while keeping it affordable and accessible.

2. Community-centred events — family bonspiels, drop-in leagues, and social gatherings that bring all generations together.

3. Volunteer-driven sustainability — a dedicated core of locals keeping the lights on, the ice perfect, and the curling culture alive.