Even though it has been over a week since the last rock sailed across the ice at the Cochrane Curling Club, members had no problem sharing stories of the past, present, and future of curling in Cochrane.

A feeling of nostalgia filled the air as members Lloyd Copithorne, Barb Gibson, David Cooper, and  Ken Weisner sat round table and shared stories of its 103 year history and what the future holds at the new Phillips Curling Centre at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.

Sitting and listening to stories of laughter and fond memories, I couldn't help to think this was more than just about the sport, the Cochrane Curling Club was and is family.

Although the Cochrane Curling Club will transition from controlling its own space to becoming tenants, David Cooper, President, says the family they have created will just adapt and make new memories for a new era.

"We're growing, this is an old house and we're moving to a bigger house to enable our family to grow as the town grows. It's a recognition of the enduring popularity of the family of curling and we are now going to be set up in a building that will last us the next 30 years."

The Cochrane Curling Club is indeed growing with new teams already looking forward to the 2107/18 season. Just over 400 curlers make up the club today between seniors, juniors, and the evening leagues. With the Club moving into a highly visible space a surge of growth is expected at the junior as well at the late 20-30 age group, a far cry from the first outdoor rink with one sheet of ice located at the east end of town, south of Big Hill Lodge.

Phillips Curling Centre will technically be the fifth home for the Cochrane Curling Club with the first official building (second rink) resurrected in 1918, just east of St. Andrews Church. The third, with three sheets of ice was situated on 1st Avenue for a cost less than $15,000, and the fourth, and current facility, came to be in 1985 after a fire destroyed the previous facility in '84.

Although the club will once again have a new home, it brings with it years of knowledge and experience from its members. Copithorne who has been curling for 50 years will bring his knowledge of the sport, how it's organized and how it's ran. The transition will be felt by not only members but also staff of SLSFSC who will be managing the state of the art facility. Although there may be feelings of uncertainty from some long time members, Cooper says it is up to the Club to make it a smooth transition. "The way the building has been designed from a technology point of view, is excellent. The result of that will be the best curling environments in Western Canada and then it's up to us to make the most of the technology and the facility that is going to be provided for us."

For the first year, manager Gibson, says "we will be building the foundation for this year, and we will know better next year what we did great and what we can improve upon."

The beauty of the sport is that it encompasses all ages, all abilities, and like Weisner shares, good sportsmanship.

"It's one of those few sports where you shake hands before and you shake hands after; you may be competitive before the game, but after you're like let's go upstairs and have a drink. It's just a great sport where you can play from when you're 8 to 80 or 90; I mean, how many sports can you do from that age to that age?!"

The Cochrane Curling Club will look forward to building on the club's already tremendous success and adding a new a chapter to its book. The grand opening of the Phillips Curling Centre will be in September with the season kicking off in early October.