[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 3 (Monday, January 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E20]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAINT PAUL CURLING CLUB

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 14, 2013

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the unique 
history of the Saint Paul Curling Club on the occasion of the 100th 
anniversary of the organization. Since 1912, the club has called Selby 
Avenue in Saint Paul, Minnesota its home. Today, it is the largest 
curling club in the United States with more than 1,200 members.
  The sport of curling has a deep and rich history in Minnesota's 
capital city. In 1885 two clubs formed under the names of the Saint 
Paul Curling Club and the Nushka Curling Club. The first games were 
played on the frozen Mississippi River near Raspberry Island in 
downtown St. Paul. In 1904 the first Saint Paul Curling Club closed and 
the Capitol City Curling Club was formed the following year. In 1912 
the Capitol City and Nushka Curling Clubs merged to form the current 
Saint Paul Curling Club and the new club took up residence in its 
current home on Selby Avenue.
  During its century on Selby Avenue, the Saint Paul Curling Club has 
witnessed many changes--seasonal outdoor ice sheets have been upgraded 
to year round indoor refrigerated rinks; financial woes and declining 
membership in past decades have given way to booming times and a surge 
in membership; and a neighborhood in decline has been reborn. 
Throughout all these changes and more, the Saint Paul Curling Club has 
remained at 470 Selby Avenue. It has not only survived, it has invested 
in painstaking restoration as well as expansion of its historic home. 
Throughout its history on Selby Avenue, the Saint Paul Curling Club has 
served as a foundation for this neighborhood, which is once again a 
thriving residential community and bustling destination for dining, 
shopping, and socializing.
  Central to the Saint Paul Curling Club is the sport of curling. Not 
only is it the largest curling club in the U.S., it has frequently 
played host to both national and international competitions. The club 
has hosted numerous bonspiel's, which are curling tournaments, and in 
1988 they hosted the USCA Men's Championship. The club is also home to 
former Olympians from the 2010 Vancouver games, John Benton and Allison 
Pottinger. The club has helped bring recognition and respect to the 
City of Saint Paul.
  Mr. Speaker, in honor of all the past and present members of the 
Saint Paul Curling Club, I am pleased to submit this statement for the 
Congressional Record recognizing the Centennial Anniversary of this 
Saint Paul landmark.

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