The Fargo–Moorhead Curling Club is pleased to offer exciting, high-quality curling in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
The Beginning
On September 13, 1938, a group of local business and professional men met to consider the possibility of organizing a curling club. Just over two months later, on November 14, 1938, the Fargo Curling Club was formally organized — officers were elected, bylaws were adopted, and authorization was given to purchase stones. Club members had previously arranged to rent space for one sheet of natural ice at the Fargo Arena, now the site of Island Park Pool.
Records are few and memories dim, but available information indicates that in 1940 the club relocated to a site on Third Street North. This building accommodated two sheets of natural ice. Following the 1940–41 season, curling activity in the Fargo–Moorhead area was probably suspended for several years. In late 1947, the club apparently resumed activity at the Third Street site, just west of the present Fargo City Hall. The club remained at this location until 1959, when the area was acquired by the City of Fargo Urban Renewal Agency.
The Early Years
The Fargo Curling Club became the Fargo–Moorhead Curling Club (FMCC) in 1954. In 1956, the club was incorporated under North Dakota law.
Members who curled at the Third Street location may remember the sporadic nature of the sport due to unpredictable North Dakota winters. As W.J. Peters noted at the 1958 Annual Meeting, the season was “spotty and disappointing” due to unusually warm weather — the ice committee made ice three times and still enjoyed only about two weeks of good curling.
The first playdown to select a team to represent North Dakota in national competition was held at the club in early 1957. Intramural curling for NDSU students began in 1958, and in subsequent years Moorhead State University and Concordia College used FMCC facilities for similar programs.
In 1959, a lease was negotiated with the Cass County Fair Association and a steel building was constructed just south of the intersection of 19th Avenue and Ninth Street North, with space for two sheets of artificial ice. The club hosted its first invitational men’s bonspiel in December 1960 — sixteen teams from North Dakota, Minnesota and Manitoba participated, with an entry fee of $20 per team.
In 1967, club members entered into an agreement with the Fargo Park Board to build a four-sheet curling facility at the corner of 10th Street and 17th Avenue North. Numerous improvements followed over the years. Club bylaws were revised in 1977, and non-profit tax status was granted by the IRS the same year. In 1988, the club celebrated its 50th Anniversary, made its final mortgage payment, and hosted both the Men’s and Women’s State Championships.
The New Club
By 2007, the 1967 building needed major repairs — the roof leaked and rusted, the refrigeration plant was breaking down, and the sand base would heave, causing negative ice. Committees explored several options. Finally, a plan was presented to build on green space between the SW Hockey arena and the Tharaldson baseball field on Fargo Park District property. Key donations pledged in 2012 kick-started a successful fundraising effort, and ground was broken in April 2013. Club members’ volunteer labor finished the carpet, painting, and lockers.
The new 6-sheet building opened in November 2013, just in time to celebrate the club’s 75th Anniversary. Membership grew to fill the expanded leagues, making it possible to hire a full-time Ice Maker / Club Manager. The greatly improved ice quality has helped many club teams win state, regional and national championships.
FM Curling Club National Championship Teams
- 1966 Men’s National Champion & World Bronze Medalists — Team Roberts
- 2017 Women’s Club National Champion — Team Podoll
- 2018 Mixed National Champion — Team Workin
- 2019 College National Champion — NDSU
- 2022 U18 Women’s National Champion — Team Scheel
- 2022 Junior Women’s National Champion — Team Scheel
- 2023 Junior Women’s National Champion — Team Scheel
- 2024 Men’s Club National Champion — Team Berg
The club partnered with Scheels Arena to host the 2011 and 2018 Men’s and Women’s National Championships and the 2013 Olympic Trials. The 2015 Men’s and Women’s Club Nationals, 2017 Men’s and Women’s Junior Nationals, and 2022 College Nationals have also been hosted at our curling club.
