A local group’s plans to build an indoor curling facility in Rochester have moved a step closer to the project becoming a reality. The Rochester Park Board voted unanimously to support a resolution that calls for Park Department staff to work with the Curling Club of Rochester on an agreement to locate a privately funded curling facility inside Gamehaven Regional Park.
Site selection and project scope
The Park Board previously rejected the idea of placing the facility at Soldiers Field Park, instead selecting Gamehaven Regional Park as the preferred site. The concept plan for Gamehaven calls for a 31,000-square-foot building with six sheets of curling ice and space for spectators and social gatherings. The Curling Club proposal includes a kitchen for food preparation, a bar, locker rooms, and other support space, with a common entry connected to a future chalet addition being considered by the Park Board for Gamehaven Regional Park.
Materials presented to the Park Board outline year-round use possibilities, including curling leagues, instruction, youth and adaptive programming, school partnerships, tournaments, public events, rentals, and flexible community gathering space.
Financial plan and timeline
The estimated price tag for building the curling facility is about $6.5 million. The Curling Club proposes covering the cost through a combination of community and member fundraising, corporate sponsorships, grant funding, foundation donations, and in-kind contributions. Fundraising would begin this year, with a target to construct and open the facility in 2028.
The city would provide land, parking, and utility connections for the facility. Park Board staff will develop a formal agreement with the Curling Club detailing fundraising goals and timelines before construction could begin, and will also specify the city’s cost for parking and utility access before the plan returns to the Park Board for further consideration.
Alternative location history and concerns
Earlier reporting noted Rochester Curling Club’s interest in several city-owned locations, with ongoing debate about the best site. A second tabled discussion at the Park Board involved considerations at Soldiers Field Golf Course, which raised concerns from Friends of Rochester Municipal Golf (FRMG) about impacts to golf operations, such as relocating a practice green and shortening a hole. Some board members cautioned against locating the curling facility within the Soldiers Field footprint, arguing for other sites like McQuillan Park or Gamehaven Park.
There is noted concern about financing and ownership when the facility would exist on city property. Some board members argue that any financing plan would require careful review of loans, ownership, and overall costs before proceeding.
Club perspective and ongoing dialogue
The Curling Club of Rochester emphasizes the intent to build a dedicated space that better serves members and the broader community, noting limited ice time on hockey ice at the Recreation Center. The club views a permanent home as essential to support curling growth, youth programs, tournaments, and events that attract visitors to Rochester. They stress a willingness to collaborate with the city and other groups to meet multiple community needs, including both golf and curling, and to find solutions that work for the city as a whole.
Four other potential locations discussed include Northern Hills Golf Course, Eastwood Golf Course, McQuillan Park, and Gamehaven Regional Park, with the understanding that the item was not on the Park Board’s agenda for the next meeting at the time of reporting.
Community impact and next steps
The project envisions a multipurpose facility capable of supporting not only curling but also public gatherings and diverse programming, potentially freeing ice time at other venues and strengthening Rochester’s recreational offerings. If the formal agreement is approved and fundraising milestones are met, construction could commence after all timelines are satisfied, moving Rochester closer to a long-sought dedicated curling home.
The Curling Club of Rochester’s full statement highlights an ethos of collaboration, sustainable growth, and a shared goal to enhance recreational opportunities for the city and surrounding community.