Could Curling and Squash find a home under one roof in Nelson?
By Bruce Fuhr
It’s probably one of the worst kept secrets in Nelson.
But that doesn’t mean it’s a done deal just yet.
The Nelson Curling Club has agreed to enter into discussions to give up two sheets of ice in the Cedar Street facility so the Nelson Squash Club can build at least two courts that will see the nomadic association finally find a home.
“Both organizations are continuing with discussions on a potential building sharing partnership, to determine if a partnership opportunity would benefit both sports,” Curling Club president Allison Sutherland and Squash Club skipper Pat Hodgson said in a joint emailed statement.
“Information on these initial discussions is not yet publicly available in order to facilitate ongoing discussions and investigations, as there are a lot of details to sort out and boards meetings to have,” the two presidents added.
It’s been a bit of a wild ride for squash players in Nelson since the owner of the Royal Hotel, site of the club for 27-plus years, decided to reduce space due to potential re-development of the Baker Street building.
The Squash Club thought it hand the answer to all their problems when it looked like the Civic Theatre was going to go the way of the dinosaur.
The club, under the name of the Downtown Athletic Club, made proposal to Nelson City Council in March 12, 2012 to build three squash courts, two multi-purpose gyms, a climbing wall and lounge/social area.
The Downtown Athletic Club was an amalgamation of the Squash Club and Climbing Association.
But that idea died quicker than a Jahangir Khan kill shot when the Nelson Civic Theatre Society rallied to make a proposal to council to keep the theatre in Nelson.
City Council decided to support the Nelson Civic Theatre Society, forcing the Downtown Athletic Club to consider alternate plans.
The current idea appears to be another opportunity to save a sport with decades of history in Nelson — curling — while giving another the opportunity to finally find a home.
“A membership special resolution meeting will decide the outcome for the NCC,” the statement said.
However, the curling club membership started the process heading to welcoming the Squash Club when it passed a motion during the March 4, 2012, AGM.
By a vote of 29 in favour to one abstained, Motion #2 had the NCC:
Respond to the Squash Club proposal Letter of Intent, with approval in principle, specifically for the replacement of ice sheets 5 and 6 with squash courts and improvements to washrooms and locker areas. An updated proposal will be brought forward to the membership for a vote at a special resolution meeting.
The giving up of two sheets appears to be a win-win situation for both clubs.
Despite promoting the sport throughout school and city for years, interest at the Curling Club continues to decrease.
Allowing the squash club to join forces would hopefully allow the building to function financially and, as one curling club member said during the recent AGM, “possibly see some curlers try squash and squash players give curling a shot.”
“No special resolution membership meeting dates have been set yet,” Sutherland and Hodgson said.
