BRINGING CURLING TO THE DESERT: A HOME FOR CURLVEGAS
From Arena Club to Dedicated Facility: A Curling Community's Vision Takes Shape
Photo: Bob Weder Photography
[EAGAN, MN, Aug. 24, 2023] — Las Vegas is home to curling enthusiasts who are working tirelessly to grow the winter sport to the desert. Having searched for years for a permanent home, CurlVegas recently announced that a dedicated curling facility will open in early 2024.
“It really comes down to the fact that there were a lot of us curling and feeling like we could have better and do better,” said CurlVegas president Brad Whitlock. “Like any arena club, where we use hockey ice where we have to set everything up each time and then break it down, it becomes laborious, and you get tired of the ice not being reliable.”
Whitlock and Ariana Dane, the club's vice president and treasurer, jumped in feet first to tackle the problem of the club not having a permanent home. Over the past five years, the club formalized its leadership with a volunteer board of directors, crafted a business plan, raised money, solicited sponsors and garnered support from the curling community at large. But the missing piece was always finding the right real estate - until now.
“This property checked all the boxes: it's clean, it's wide. It's long,” said Whitlock. “We wish it was a little bigger for a warm-room viewing space, but you know, you can't quibble when you find something that's pretty close to perfect. So we'll jam people in there and they’ll be friends and they’ll be shoulder-to-shoulder.”
When the facility opens, it will have 13,565 square feet of space with four sheets of curling ice. It will also have all the standard amenities with restrooms, locker rooms, an ice shed and a bar. The location will be convenient for both locals and tourists visiting the area as it will be only six minutes from Harry Reid International Airport and only twelve minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.
But most importantly, the new facility will provide time.
Currently as an arena club, CurlVegas has ice time for two hours a week. With leagues, lessons, learn to curl events, and corporate programs, they make the most of every minute.
“I’m very proud of all we’ve been able to achieve with just one arena working with us, “Dane said. “It’s only two hours a week, and that’s us getting in, setting all the stones on the ice and the hacks in the ice, playing the game and then loading everything off. We couldn’t have done it without our giant team of members.”
Having the new facility and ice time seven days a week will provide CurlVegas with the opportunity to reach more people and share the sport of curling.
“I will not miss having to tell our community ‘no,’” said Whitlock. “No, I can’t get ice time for you. No, you can’t have practice ice. No, we don’t have a youth league. No, we don't have wheelchair curling.”
With increased availability and a central location, the club hopes to grow what has already become a vibrant curling community in Las Vegas. With Vegas hosting international events including the Continental Cup and the men’s world championship, curling has gained considerable visibility in a city with endless entertainment options.
During the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, CurlVegas volunteers hosted more than 300 people in Learn-to-Curl events, even given their extremely limited ice time. With the new facility, the number of people introduced to the sport could grow exponentially.
“We’re no different than anywhere else when the Olympics happen. Our interest level jumps in Las Vegas just like it does in Madison, Wisconsin or Boston, Massachusetts. People are looking for experiences, and curling is just as much fun here as it is in Minnesota.”
While construction of the facility has just begun, fundraising efforts have been ongoing for years. The club relied heavily on member contributions, loans from organizations like World Curling Federation and USA Curling, and support from the curling community across North America. "The support from the curling community has been heartwarming," Whitlock said. "It's what's kept us going through the challenges."
The club will host its second annual poker tournament at the Stirling Club in Las Vegas on August 26. CurlVegas will also host a special night on the ice before the poker event, where Olympic gold medalist Tyler George will introduce other Nevada athletes to curling, including BMX Olympic gold medalist Connor Fields. Supporters can attend in person or via an online auction. For more information visit CharitySeriesOfPoker.org and CurlVegas.com.
About USA Curling
Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, USA Curling is the National Governing body for the Olympic sport of curling and the Paralympic sport of wheelchair curling in the United States. The mission of USA Curling is to grow, strengthen, and advocate for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of curling in the United States by prioritizing accessibility and programmatic development from grassroots to podium. USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Toyota, Thorne, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), Rock Solid Productions, Jet Ice, and Laurie Artiss. USA Curling is a proud member of the World Curling Federation and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. To learn more, visit usacurling.org.
