History of the Owatonna Curling Club
In April 1968 nine people met to discuss organizing a curling club in Owatonna, MN.
The first season of curling was held during the winter of 1970-1971 and was held in the original beer gardens on the Steele County Fairgrounds. A single set of stones were borrowed from an unknown source.
On January 7, 1971, the Curling Club of Owatonna was officially filed with the state of Minnesota.
For the next three seasons (1971-1973) the club curled inside the cattle barn on the Steele County Fairgrounds.
In the fall of 1973, the club purchased two used sets of stones for $3,200. The Owatonna Parks & Rec. covered 50% of the cost. These are the current stones still in use as of 2019.
The 1974-1975 season would be the first held inside the Four Seasons Centre on arena ice to provide the club improved climate control.
The club held its first Men's Bonspiel in 1975.
In the fall of 1978, the club moved from the Four Seasons Centre next door to the old "pony barn" where the club still curls today. A total of $5,300 was spent pouring concrete over the dirt floor. An additional $4,000 was spent to build the club warm room, install fans and upgrade the doors. Wengers generously donated $1,000 to assist these projects.
The first bonspiel held in the current facility occurred February, 1979.
The February 1981 Owatonna bonspiel had to be cancelled mid-way through the spiel due to high outdoor temperatures melting the curling ice.
The summer of 1982 saw $18,600 of improvements made to the facility. Ice making mats (glycol tubing) were purchased and a header was constructed with a valve station connecting to the Four Season Centre's compressor. Additionally, sewer and water services were installed in the club. Funds were raised by club members with the exception of a $2,500 donation from the Owatonna Foundation.
Fluorescent lighting was installed above the ice in the fall of 1984.
A used Ice King scraper was purchased in the fall of 1988 with a $3,000 loan from Northwest Bank.
In 1990, Northwest Bank agreed to sponsor the men's bonspiel, now an open bonspiel known as the Miller Lite Super Spiel.
From 1995 through 2003, the club was home to the St. Olaf College Curling team. Practices were opened once per week, made possible by Ron Baker. The St. Olaf team competed in the College Curling Nationals multiple years.
In February 1996, the club tri-hosted the Senior Men's National Bonspiel along with the Mapleton and Mankato clubs.
The inaugural Dr. McGillicuddy Open Bonspiel was held in December 1996 with Drew Arnold as the Chairman.
In 1998, the club insulated the building with a $12,500 Mighty Ducks Grant. The main entrance to the building was moved from the west side to the east side to accommodate the second hockey arena constructed at the Four Seasons Centre.
In 2000, the club established the Ron Baker Award in memory of longtime member Ron Baker. A member from 1970-2000, Ron was instrumental in the growth of the club. The award is presented each year to a member for their outstanding contributions to the operation of the Owatonna Curling Club.
In 2004, the club hosted the Minnesota High School Bonspiel.
Following the 15th Anniversary, the McGillicuddy Open was replaced with the Grain Belt Classic Bonspiel with Jeff Hanson as Chairman.
In 2018, the club celebrated its 50th anniversary and 40th year curling in the current building.
In 2019, the club announced plans to revitalize the club warm room as well as plans to purchase two new sets of stones.
