The Rocky Curling Club is gearing up to raise funds for major structural repairs to its building — and officials are optimistic the goal can be reached quickly.
A fundraising event is set for Nov. 20 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the club’s Extra End Lounge, which will include an update on long-awaited truss and roof-repair plans.
The board says it will present the finalized engineering design and an expected construction timeline, including details on when the 2025–26 curling season can begin.
Club president Richard Bonneau says the club was forced to go back to the drawing board over the summer after an initial report set the cost-per-truss at $80,000. With 11 trusses in need of repair, he says it quickly became cost-ineffective.
The club then sought a second opinion. A second engineering report was deemed much more favorable, says Bonneau, as a local contractor estimates repairs on all 11 trusses can be completed for under $300,000.
That’s a significant cost savings, he says, as the initial quote pegged repairs to the five most-urgent trusses at over $400,000.
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The organization has committed $215,000 toward the project, while the Town of Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater County have each supplied a $100,000 grant. The curling club has also applied for a provincial Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant, which it hopes to receive before the end of 2025.
If everything comes together, Bonneau is optimistic that not only the truss project can be completed, but asphalt replacement on the roof can also be done, extending the life of the building by 25 years.
The club was initially aiming to complete minimum truss work over the summer in time for its 65th curling season this fall, however, that didn’t materialize.
“The one question all our Rocky Curling Club Members keep asking is ‘when can we start curling?’” he says, adding the answer to that question will be presented during the Nov. 20 event.
In the meantime, the club says it’s grateful for friends in Eckville and Caroline for allowing the club to use their curling surfaces for draws.
As for the fundraising evening on Nov. 20, the free event is open to all ages, including non-curlers, and members are encouraged to bring guests and junior curlers.
Dozens of items have already been donated for the silent auction, including tickets to a Calgary Flames vs. Vegas Golden Knights game, a barbecue and outdoor pizza oven, a helicopter ride for two, a private tour of Earlyne & Merv Pidherney’s classic car collection, signed jerseys from Team Homan and Team Resse-Hansen, golf packages, a set of studded winter tires, collectible Barbies, MLB memorabilia, a Ninja outdoor pizza oven, 1991 Toronto Blue Jays All-Star memorabilia, and a range of household, hobby and local-goods items.
Additional donations are still being accepted via email at RockyCC1960@gmail.com.
A non-comprehensive list of silent auction items donated for a fundraising and social evening, Nov. 20 at the Rocky Curling Club. (Rocky Curling Club)
The club will also be distributing raffle tickets during the evening. Prizes include Oilers–Golden Knights tickets with $750 cash, a World Women’s Curling Championship ticket package with $750 cash, and a third prize of $750.
Tickets are $10 each, with a draw scheduled for Feb. 27, 2026.
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