St. Thomas Curling Club Gears Up to Host 2026 Canadian Championships Big things are happening on the ice at the St. Thomas Curling Club. Fresh off the success of hosting the Grand Slam of Curling (Tier 2) in late September, the club is already preparing for its next major event, the 2026 Canadian Curling Club Championships, set to take place from November 22 to 28. “This event brings together 14 men’s teams and 14 women’s teams from every province and territory across Canada,” says Peter Inch, Treasurer of the St. Thomas Curling Club and Chair of the upcoming championship. “These are top-level club players, not quite the Breyer or Scotties calibre, but still very high-level competitors. It’s what we like to call their ‘last chance to win a championship,’ -- and they might even be a little better at celebrating than the pros,” he added with a laugh. The 2026 event marks the first time St. Thomas has hosted the national championship, and it’s a proud milestone for the local curling community. Ellen Left, Club President and Vice Chair for the event, said it’s part of a growing reputation. The recent Grand Slam event has already generated momentum, both from fans and volunteers. “We’re already getting emails from people who said they had such a good time last time and want to help again,” said Peter. “The stands were full, the atmosphere was incredible, and we’re excited to keep that energy going into next year.” “We’re starting to build a proven track record of being able to host events successfully, not just at the club, but with the help of the entire community,” says Ellen. “Once word gets out about how welcoming St. Thomas is, it becomes easier to attract these national events.”
Photos courtesy of CVD Photography
The competition will run for nearly a week, with players arriving on Sunday for practice sessions before games officially begin mid-week. The finals are scheduled for Saturday night, wrapping up an exciting week of curling and community celebration. Peter noted that the event won’t be confined to the club itself. “Because of the bleachers we’ll be setting up, we’ll have to use other venues for banquets and receptions. We’re also looking at local entertainment to really make it a full experience,” he says. “We’ve even talked about seeing if the Port Stanley Terminal Rail can put the train behind the club and offer rides to Port Stanley when teams and fans have downtime. It’s about showcasing what our area has to offer.” The championship will bring significant economic benefits to St. Thomas, with hundreds of visitors filling hotels, restaurants, and local shops throughout the week. “All those players, coaches,
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Page 22 Hometown St. Thomas • November 2025
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