Curling, like golf, originated in Scotland, with Kingston’s first curling club dating back to 1820. In 1962, Cataraqui decided to expand its recreational offerings and become a year-round operation, adding curling to complement its golf and social activities.
J.L. Richards and Associates, known for their work with the Ottawa Hunt Club took on the task of adding six sheets of curling ice to the Cataraqui facilities while preserving the club’s historic charm in the expanded facility.
With its opening, Cataraqui became the 244th club to join the Ontario Curling Association. While initially thought of as a recreational rink, Cataraqui quickly gained recognition in competitive curling. By 1964, the women’s section had become a strong force, with teams traveling to competitions across Ontario. In the 1964-65 season, Cataraqui’s first ever 8-ender was scored by a women’s team, skipped by Alice McKeown. By 1967-68, Cataraqui had its first rink competing in the Ontario Ladies Championship.
This competitive tradition continues today with recent participating teams on the professional men’s circuit, in the Ontario Men’s Tankard Playdowns, in the Ontario and Canadian Curling Club Championships and in several Masters and Grandmasters provincial championships.