Chatham Granite Club celebrates new curling rocks

With help from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Chatham Granite Club has a new set of curling rocks.

Recently, provincial officials and representatives of the Chatham Granite Curling Club celebrated a $110,200 capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The grant supported the purchase of new equipment to improve the curling experience.

“This investment will help the Chatham Granite Club continue providing a welcoming and active space for people of all ages in our community. These new curling rocks will support opportunities to grow participation, host competitions, and bring people together through sport. I am pleased to see this funding helping strengthen an organization that contributes so much to the health, activity, and community spirit of Chatham-Kent,” said Trevor Jones, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington.

Awarded in June 2025, the OTF grant funded the purchase of new curling stones. The livelier striking surface will make it easier to remove an opponent’s stone from play, while consistent running surfaces across the set will produce more predictable results.

The Chatham Granite Club was founded in 1862, when its first members began curling on
the Thames River. That makes the Chatham Granite Club one of the oldest curling clubs in
Canada. The club was later moved into its present location on William Street. Five sheets of ice are housed under beautiful British Columbia Cedar for leagues of all levels.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. In 2025-26, OTF invested nearly $107 million into 746 community projects.