Hot Shots History

Hot Shots Curling Club was formed back in 1958, where a few individuals regularly rented ice at the long gone Elbow Valley Curling Club. That rink was located west of the city on Richmond Road (now known as highway 8). The group had enough of a response to put together a league of six teams that played on Wednesday nights. Members came from all areas of the city and there was a good mix of singles, married and a few who even knew how to curl.

The club began as just a fun loving bunch that did what most curlers look forward to after the exercise on the ice. Many a night, staff in either the Westbrook or the Stampede Hotels had to remind us about closing time. Depending on who was on the executive at the time, new curlers would come from teaching, banking, nursing, accounting or other walks of life. In fact, it is this variety that has greatly influenced the club’s longevity.

In the early days, it was decided that the teams would be drawn at random each year and this practice is still in place. As a result, we have been able to cultivate some meaningful relationships that have lead to more than one marriage. Our club has also advanced with the changes in society, with both men and women taking on the skip role.

After ten plus years at Elbow Valley, the group relocated to the Inglewood Golf and Curling Club where we have remained with our coveted 7:30 p.m. (formerly 7:15), Wednesday evening draw. Formed over 55+ years ago, the club currently has 12 teams and may well be one of the oldest mixed curling leagues in Calgary. Several of our curlers have been with us over 30 years, with nearly half of the curlers with 10+ years curling full time in the league.

In mid October, we start the season which consists of approximately 18 games and runs until mid March. Curling is only one aspect of our existence as evidenced by numerous other social activities. Each year we have many non-curling events ranging from parties to an early summer campout.