(From left) Stephen Wallace, secretary to the Governor General and Kevin Goheen, Rideau Curling Club president, help an actor playing Sir Sandford Fleming unveil the Balmoral Tartan.
One of Centretown’s most historic sporting associations, the Rideau Curling Club, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this month, with a reception honouring the club’s ties to the evolution of the sport in Canada.
Mayor Jim Watson, Somerset Ward Coun. Diane Holmes and Stephan Wallace, assistant to Gov. Gen. David Johnston, joined former club presidents and members of the Ottawa curling community in speaking at an anniversary event on Nov. 10.
Celebrated Canadian engineer and the founding club president, Sir Sandford Fleming (who died in 1915), also made a special appearance, thanks to the skills of Kanata actor Tom Kobolak.
Club historian Jackie Carberry says the club’s growth over the past 125 years is reflective of the Ottawa community’s social history as well as the development of Canadian curling.
“We’ve seen economic highs and lows, the acceptance of women as equal members, and rule changes and technological advances in the sport of curling,” she says. “Through it all, the club has continually re-invented itself.”
The current president, Kevin Goheen, agrees that clubs such as the RCC are significant for communities.
“Grassroots sports involvement teaches people about sportsmanship and respect for their fellow human beings, qualities that will benefit us in terms of improving the workplace and society,” he says.
“In an increasing urban society, community clubs such as the RCC provide an inviting place for camaraderie.”
The club is commemorating the anniversary by revealing its new Balmoral tartan swatch, an homage to the Scottish origins of the sport.
The new tartan, a plaid swatch of grey and red. will join 122 other significant tartans on display in the club’s facilities.
Carberry, a former club president, says the RCC worked with Rideau Hall to have the new tartan approved by Queen Elizabeth in time for the anniversary.
Opening as the Rideau Skating and Curling Club in November 1888 with 120 members, the curling club has played an important role in Canadian sporting history.
It was first patronized by the then-governor general Lord Stanley of Preston. The support of the governor-general is a tradition; Johnston is the club’s patron today.
Fleming was the first president of the club. An acclaimed Canadian inventor and engineer, Fleming is credited with devising the concept of international time zones. He also engineered much of the Canadian Pacific Railway and designed the first Canadian postage stamp.
“He was one of the great engineers of the great Canadian railway, but was constantly butting heads with politicians.
"He was certainly his own guy,” says Bob Provick, another former president.
Fleming had been a member of the Ottawa Curling Club, but according to local legend he decided to begin an alternate club because the OCC refused to serve liquor after matches.
“They wouldn’t serve alcoholic beverages on Sundays, so he and his buddies decided to start a new club,” Provick says.
The two clubs have a friendly rivalry that continues to this day. They meet annually in December to compete against each other. This year’s competition will take place on Dec. 27.
Provick, a member for more then 30 years, says the RCC’s continuing success lies in its ability to forge a community by merging social activity with a love of the sport.
“The Rideau Curling Club has been a welcoming and friendly place for those who love to curl and provides an opportunity for those of all skill levels to partake in the sport,” he says.
The club was moved in 1916 from its original location on Waller Street when the club’s space was taken over for the Canadian war effort.
It moved twice more before settling in 1949 at its current location at the corner of Percy and Cooper streets.
As part of its 125th anniversary celebrations, the club is also hosting the Canadian Mixed National Curling Championships from Nov. 14-23.