Petoskey Curling Club

Club History

The Petoskey Curling Club, a family-friendly nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and growing the sport of curling in northern Michigan, was founded in 2014. In its early years, the club began operations at the outdoor rink in Petoskey's Winter Sports Park, where it held initial sessions for a couple of seasons. By around 2016, it relocated to the Petoskey Ice Arena in nearby Harbor Springs, which provided a more consistent indoor environment, though the shared hockey rink posed challenges for maintaining ideal curling ice conditions.

During this period, the club focused on building a community around the sport through beginner classes, instructional sessions on techniques like stone delivery (throwing with intentional spin for curl), sweeping to control path and distance, using hacks for footing, and strategic play around the "house" (the target rings). Membership grew steadily, aided by public "Learn to Curl" events that introduced newcomers to the basics of rules, history, delivery, sweeping, and strategy—no prior experience or equipment required. A significant boost came in 2018 following the U.S. curling team's gold medal win at the Winter Olympics, which sparked widespread interest and drew hundreds to the club's open houses and events. By early 2020, the club had expanded to between 50 and 100 regular members, hosting leagues and fostering a vibrant local curling scene.

The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly halted all activities in early 2020, leading to a major setback as the club lost access to suitable ice. In 2021, amid ongoing restrictions, the board began actively seeking a new, dedicated home to address long-standing issues with shared facilities. Plans included pursuing a public-private partnership for a purpose-built venue with two to four sheets of ice, estimated to cost $500,000 to $1 million. Discussions with local officials, including the City of Petoskey, explored options, but priorities like sustainability and budget constraints delayed progress. This resulted in a five-year hiatus from regular operations, during which the club maintained its nonprofit status but suspended play.

The club made a triumphant return in the 2024-25 season with its first dedicated curling facility at the Emmet County Fairgrounds on US-31 in Petoskey. This innovative pop-up setup featured an outdoor sheet enclosed in a modified hoop house with tarps to shield against sun, wind, and snow, allowing for extended seasons and better ice quality. Leased on a trial basis, the facility marked a transformative milestone, enabling weeknight leagues for competitive and recreational players of all skill levels, as well as weekly Learn to Curl sessions open to the public. The reopening generated local excitement, with the club aiming to rebuild membership and host community gatherings.

Building on that momentum, the 2025-26 season—now in its second year at the fairgrounds—saw expansions including a larger "house" area, additional spectator seating, upgraded equipment for higher-quality ice production, and enhanced overall playing experience. Activities continued to emphasize accessibility, with ongoing Learn to Curl events and efforts to attract newcomers ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where curling will feature prominently. The club is actively fundraising for long-term sustainability and further growth, positioning itself as a key hub for curling in northern Michigan as of early 2026.