TC Curling Club

Written by Kate Sterken

Winter Issue '24 - Online Shop

True confession: when I accepted the Executive Director position at the Traverse City Curling Club a year and a half ago, I had never curled. I had watched curling during the winter Olympics and remembered the improbable gold medal US men’s team in 2018, but hadn’t given it much thought otherwise. At the time I was searching for a new job, I had been working remotely in a corporate setting for more than three years. When I decided to take the job at the Curling Club, the idea of working face to face with people, in a community-centered non-profit, was extremely compelling.

When I arrived, the club was newly open and already in its own dedicated curling facility in a corner of the old, long abandoned Kmart building. It didn’t take me long to realize that sliding down ice and playing chess with 40 pound rocks is a good time, but I could also tell that there was more going on here than just the game.

In my first days on the job, I learned about the incredible, and also improbable, path to getting here. During the early years, starting in 2014 by a few locals curious to try the sport, the club curled at Traverse City’s Centre Ice late in the evening after the last hockey practice sessions ended. Despite these inconvenient playing times, the club grew quickly and soon took on more members than their ice times could accommodate.

In 2017, a small group of bold, passionate volunteers got together to form an official Ice Committee with the goal of creating a dedicated curling facility in Traverse City. Consultants and studies were called upon, funds were raised, plans were hatched and property was purchased in 2019. But the arrival of the pandemic in 2020 nearly stalled the entire project; the dedicated Ice Committee struggled to meet in person, construction costs soared, and key materials became unavailable. In November of 2021, the club had to abandon their plan. 

Undaunted, a stalwart few remained on the committee, and eventually adapted the original vision of a new construction project to building a curling center within an existing building instead. In June of 2022, this vision came to life; the Club took a major leap and purchased the abandoned Cherryland Kmart building. This became its own herculean effort and was not without major setbacks and several near-catastrophic wrenches in the plan. In addition to the dedication of the Ice Committee and construction crew from Cunningham Limp, it took many donors, grantors, lenders, investors, and guarantors working together to achieve the dream of a world-class curling center in Traverse City. The doors opened in the spring of 2023 and within its first year hosted hundreds of league nights and even brought a National Championship curling competition to Traverse City. We were all delighted as we watched Olympic gold medalists and world champion curlers compete on our ice and deem it a “top ten” facility.

As I learned about the significant risks and dedication required over those years, I started to truly understand the strong passion within the curling community and this Club. I was especially impressed by the volunteers who made it happen—people with their own busy, full lives—who were willing to persist through so many challenges.

Curling is a unique sport for a number of reasons. One thing about curling that particularly stands out is that it can be played by virtually everyone. Strength and speed are of no particular advantage, and modifications are easily available to support people who are unable to lunge and slide on the ice. League teams are inclusive regardless of age, gender, and mobility and everyone plays the same game together. I’m not sure of another sport, let alone a team sport, that can accommodate this. Because it is so accessible, there is no singular “type” of curler. Our club draws people from everywhere—it really is representative of our community. We now have over 400 hundred members that make up a rich blend of perspectives, backgrounds, professions, and beliefs. 

Another beautiful part of curling culture is the post-game tradition called “broomstacking.” Dating back centuries in curling’s history, opposing teams would stack their brooms after competition and take time to gather together for conversation, often with a drink and a snack. Our league nights are played in round robin format, but equally as important as the game is what happens after; teams gather around tables in our lounge and enjoy a beer or snack and some laughs about the game, and life. 

Setting aside intentional time to get to know people while sitting around a table in this way, has been a huge gift to me. As a transplant to Traverse City, we have landed in a great community of friends and surrounded ourselves with people we share a lot in common. But living in a city where my husband and I don’t have deep ties or multigenerational connections to fall back on is noticeable. As the director of the club this past year, I have had the gift of making friends that span many generations.

Even more refreshing, I have gotten to know many people that I simply wouldn’t cross paths with otherwise. I have shared laughs and enjoyed chatting with people with vastly different backgrounds and different beliefs than me. It turns out that our differences don’t matter as much as I once thought; there is still plenty of space for us to meet in the middle. Making these personal connections has been revitalizing, particularly while living through continuous tense, divisive political seasons and emerging from a stressful pandemic that forced us all inward. I feel a renewing appreciation for our differences, and I am deeply grateful to be reminded that we are all humans and neighbors first.

This is in large part because the common thread everyone seems to share at the club is kindness, and the atmosphere is always welcoming and comfortable. This is a place where people contribute to the collective good. A successful first year in our own facility was only possible because more than 125 people showed up to volunteer their time to painstakingly maintain our ice, teach beginner classes, build and coach a program specifically for kids and wheelchair curlers, host group rentals for families and coworkers, run leagues, and help pull off major events. Generous donors pitch in extra money so that we can keep our curling fees as low as possible for everyone. Dedicated volunteers make beautiful things for the club, gifting custom furniture and art that makes our corner of the old Kmart a warm and inviting place. Someone else noticed we really needed a place to put shoes, and shelves magically appeared. The kitchen gets organized. There are extra shoes left behind in case someone needs a pair. Someone put pumpkin pie in the fridge to share. The delight in helping each other and belonging to each other is the true spirit of curling culture. 

The world and our habits are changing. We are collectively “bowling alone” more often and the consequences to both individuals and society are real. Our curling club offers a meaningful solution—we come together, know one another’s names, and build trust in each other. This is a good thing not just for each of us as individuals, but something that strengthens our entire community.

BIO

Are you interested in giving curling a try? Our doors are open to everyone and we have plenty of room for more people to join the club! In order to get out on the ice for the first time, everyone must first learn from an instructor. At our club, we regularly host single 90-minute classes to simply try curling, and a three-class Learn to Curl course to learn the game and develop strategy. All equipment is provided and we ask participants to wear warm layers you can move in and have clean sneakers to curl in. We also regularly host group rentals of all sizes for families, friends, and coworkers who want to book time together on their own. People who find they love it become club members and join in one (or more) of our Fall, Winter, and Spring leagues. For more information and registration please visit https://tccurling.org/ 

After growing up in West Michigan and attending the University of Michigan, Kate Sterken began her career in elementary education in Washington state. A decade later, a move to Northern Michigan opened a new chapter as she partnered with her husband in running the small business he founded, learning firsthand the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. Driven to broaden her skills, she transitioned into the corporate world for several years before landing at the non-profit Traverse City Curling Club. She is a lifelong learner, music lover, avid podcast listener, enthusiastic friend-gatherer, and proud mother of three fabulous middle-schoolers who keep her humble.

Winter Issue '24 - Online Shop