There has recently been some interest in bringing a curling club back to Presque Isle. Presque Isle has a long history with curling, and, in fact, had its own curling club from 1964 until the late 1980s.
The Presque Isle Parks & Rec Board received permission from the City Council to use Building 611 in Skyway Industrial Park for an indoor skating and curling rink in January 1964. Oscar Taggett, Jim Rathbun, Bill Haskell, Ted Thompson, James Roche, Leon Michaud, Bill Smith, Bryan Ryan, Clayton Coffin, and Phil Thornton were instrumental in starting the club.
Our proximity to Canada was most probably the impetus that led to the popularity of the sport and the eventual forming of a club here. Canada has more total curlers than any other country. In fact, the Perth-Andover Curling Club donated two sets of stones and two scoreboards. The only other curling club in Maine, the Belfast Curling Club, also donated two sets of stones.
A refrigeration system was installed in the summer of 1964 so that the club did not need to rely on natural ice. The installation of this system was completed and in use by Feb. 1, 1965.
The Presque Isle building, located om Cross Street, was a multi-function building. The hockey or skating rink was closest to the road and ran east-west. It was, however, smaller than regulation hockey size. A partition separated the curling area and ran parallel to the road. There were two sheets of ice on the curling side. In addition, there was a glassed-in second floor overlooking the curling sheets.
Curling dates back to the 15th century. However, the modern version originated in the early 17th century and is considered the “Scottish” style. Curling was typically played outdoors on frozen lakes and ponds until the 20th century. It was a demonstration sport in the 1924, 1932, 1992, and 1994 Olympics before being admitted as a full medal sport in 1998.
The Presque Isle Curling Club was much more than just a curling club. It also provided a much needed social outlet during the 1960s and 1970s. Women were very welcome at the Presque Isle Curling Club and were included on the teams as well.
A “bonspiel” is a curling tournament. The word is Scottish in origin meaning a league match or game. Bonspiels are typically held during curling “season,” October to April. On March 26, 1966, the first international bonspiel was held at the Presque Isle Curling Club. Teams from Caribou, Edmundston, Florenceville, Grand Falls, Perth-Andover, Woodstock and two from Presque Isle competed.
Disaster struck the rink on New Year’s Day of 1969 when the roof over the skating rink collapsed due to buildup of snow on the roof. At the time, the members were concerned that the club would not be able to continue. City Council agreed to lease the building to the club for a 10-year period, provided the club made the necessary repairs. The club members stepped up to the plate (or should we say “hack”) by donating $100 each, working many long hours, and holding fundraisers. The club was back in business within a month.
For a time towards the end of the club’s existence, curling was held at the Forum. In fact, the largest bonspiel in the State of Maine was held at the Forum. The curling club’s activities came to an end in the late 1980s. The cost of upkeep and running the club simply exceeded the revenue generated from membership at this point in time.
Kimberly R. Smith is the secretary/treasurer of the Presque Isle Historical Society.
