Curling has existed in British Columbia since 1895. The first clubs were located in Kaslo and Golden, in the Kootenays. The mining communities of Sandon, Rossland, Nelson, Trail, Phoenix and Greenwood also established clubs in the years that followed.

The Kootenays were the centre of curling until the end of World War II, when an explosion of interest in the sport spread across the province. In 1945 there were 27 clubs in the province and by 1960 there were 65 clubs.

The enthusiasm of early curlers for the game can best be understood by the distances they would travel to compete. Since most of the early clubs were in the Kootenays, those wishing to compete in a bonspiel from other areas of the province had to travel by train and stage coach to get to their destination, usually in extreme temperatures. The logistics of travel for curlers was particularly complicated by the necessity of transporting curling rocks. Many curlers had two sets to accommodate different ice conditions! In the modern game the rocks are kept at the curling club and there is no need to transport them.

Prior to 1990 there were 3 Independent Curling Associations, primarily involved in running competitions to select teams to represent BC in the Brier and Scotties Tournament of Hearts. They included the Pacific Coast, BC Interior Associations (Men’s) and The BC Ladies Curling Association. ln addition, there was the BC Curling Council, operated by the two Men’s Associations, that was responsible for the technical programs, including coaching clinics and other related programs.
ln 1990 Don McQuarrie, then BCICA President talked to Vice-President Murray Soder about the need to get the BC Ladies involved with the two Men’s Associations in promoting curling in BC. Up until this time, the Ladies organization BCLCA operated as an organization primarily involved in selecting the BC Ladies Champion team to participate in the Tournament of Hearts.

Unfortunately, Don passed away while curling in the Senior Zone Playdowns in Quesnel in January of 1990. Murray Soder, the incoming President of the BC Interior Curling Association, took up Don’s challenge. ln the fall of 1990 at the joint meeting of PCCA and the BCICA, a proposal was made to approach the BCLCA about joining with the two Men’s Associations to participate in the operation of the BC Curling Council and join the men in participating in Curling Canada meetings. Murray Soder was delegated to meet with the BCLCA executive to make a proposal to the BC Ladies Annual Meeting in Salmon Arm in January 1991.

An agreement was reached with the BCLCA to explore the possibility of a single organization. A committee of three, Association Presidents Joan Agnew (BCLCA), Murray Soder (BCICA) and Jack Boutilier (PCCA) met numerous times during the year, resulting in a proposal being accepted by all Associations to jointly work together on running technical programs and promotion of curling in BC. Emil Jurista, Manager of BCICA was the author of the name Curl BC. ln the spring of 1992, Curl BC was born and since that time has grown into the present organization.

Curling has made a unique and valuable contribution to both the social and sport history in British Columbia. Curling today remains a major winter sport in BC with active participation by residents across the province.

Curl BC celebrated the 125th anniversary of curling in 2020.