News release from the Fort Wayne Curling Club:
Fort Wayne Curling Club announces acquisition of facility
(October 1, 2013) – The Fort Wayne Curling Club announced today that it has executed a lease on a warehouse space within the Wells Street Commerce Center that will become the first dedicated curling facility in the history of the City of Fort Wayne and the first dedicated curling facility in the state of Indiana since the closing of the Elcona Curling Club in Elkhart during the 1980s.
The new facility is located within the Wells Street Commerce Center just south of Fernhill Avenue at 3674 Wells Street, the site of the former Nickle’s Bakery & Thrift Shop. It is located less than one block south of the Lutheran Health SportsCenter, the club’s current location.
The new facility will boast 3 sheets of dedicated curling ice and a 2,400 square foot warm room, providing off-ice viewing of the curling matches in a comfortable environment. The location will be utilized for curling from October 1 through mid-April each year. During this time, the club will operate Men’s, Women’s, Junior’s, Mixed and Open leagues and will expand its current special needs programs to allow everyone in the city of Fort Wayne to participate in the electrifying sport of curling.
Additionally, the club will reserve one night each week for Learn to Curl sessions and corporate/private events. During the Learn to Curl sessions, people new to the sport of curling can come out and try this sport for only $10.00, receiving training in the rules and techniques of the game and even participating in a short game against other new curlers. The club will be running Learn to Curl sessions in advance of moving into the new facility on the following dates and times at the Lutheran Health SportsCenter: Saturday, October 12th 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Sunday, November 17th 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm, and Saturday December 14th 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm.
During the upcoming Winter Olympics in February, the club will host events nightly to support the huge demand in curling that the Olympics have traditionally generated. The events will include Learn to Curl sessions, Olympics viewing parties and other social activities.
The club will be performing renovations on the facility and installing the ice equipment between now and the end of December with the intention of curling in this facility in early January.
A groundbreaking ceremony, actually more of a “wallbreaking ceremony”, will be held at the facility at 6 pm on Friday, October 4th as the club kicks off its demolition efforts. Actual construction will begin once all required permits are obtained.
This dedicated facility is made possible by the generous support of the club’s members as well as key sponsors, including: Jerri L Mead, P.C. (Immigration and Naturalization Law), Source One Partners, Visit Fort Wayne, and Kaytaro Sugahara.
The club is currently seeking additional corporate sponsorships for local businesses that wish to promote their business and support the growth of recreational activities in our city. A variety of programs are available that each for provide advertising opportunities and free corporate events.
The Fort Wayne Curling Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is happy to accept tax-deductible donations.
More information can be found on the club’s website at www.FortWayneCurling.com or Like the Fort Wayne Curling Club on Facebook.
Related Images:
