New Dedicated Curling Facility Coming to Lakeville

After curling more than 10 years on rented ice shared with skaters, Dakota Curling is moving in January to a dedicated curling facility in downtown Lakeville. The club’s new location in Holyoke Plaza will take over the space currently occupied by Total Hockey.

Dakota Curling will offer learn to curl classes, introductory leagues, recreational leagues, and competitive leagues for experienced curlers. Leagues will be designed to accommodate players of all ages, experience levels, and physical abilities, according to a news release.

The new dedicated curling facility will feature six sheets of ice and will have a large club room with a bar and food service on site. Viewing will be available from three sides of the curling rink, including a second story viewing area ideal for coaches and officials.

“This is an exciting opportunity to bring curling to the southern metro area“ said Leslie Adair, the club’s league manager, in a statement.

“We are looking forward to teaching new people the game and also to giving experienced players a place to curl on quality ice close to home.”

The club room and bar will be open to the general public during league play. In addition, Dakota Curling will offer private rentals for both curling and club room use during times when the ice is not in use for leagues.

Dakota Curling first formed in 2006 in order to offer new players a place to learn the game in response to record interest driven by the Olympics. At this time, the St. Paul Curling Club was the only club in the metro area and its membership was maxed out. Over the last 10 years, three additional curling clubs have opened in the region, further demonstrating a sustained increase in interest in the sport.

Although constrained to a single night of curling per week, Dakota Curling’s membership is currently at 150. With the move to a dedicated facility, Dakota Curling projects membership in the first year to reach 300, and by year five to reach 900.

Registration for learn to curl classes and leagues will open on October 1st, with league play beginning in January 2017. More information about league schedules will be available on the club’s website.

Image via Heather, Flickr, used under Creative Commons