Leave a Legacy – Make a donation to the Curl Mesabi Foundation to help construct the world’s largest broom &…
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Curl Mesabi Foundation
The Curl Mesabi Foundation was established in 2015 to promote community health, wellness and well-being through the support of a variety of curling activities in the Quad Cities area of Eveleth, Gilbert, Mountain Iron and Virginia.
The foundation’s fund raising sources include private and corporate donations and a variety of different events, including the annual Golf Scramble held at the Eveleth Golf Course. Funds are managed wisely to support the long term viability and growth of curling related projects in our area.
Curling is one of those wonderful sports you can play from cradle to grave. Curl Mesabi, at the Range Recreation Civic Center (RRCC), offers a world class facility in which indulge in this exciting winter ice sport.
Curl Mesabi and our beloved winter sport is a positive social and economic engine for our quad-cities area. A 2017 University of Minnesota impact study states that $7.80 of economic activity is generated for every dollar spent by Curl Mesabi and the Range Recreation Civic Center.
Curling offers recreational & social opportunities that contribute to the quality of life in the quad-cities. The presence of the Curl Mesabi curling club is a contributing factor in retaining current and attracting new residents to the area.
On Sunday afternoons you will find 50-60 youth attending Junior Curling lessons. Our young curlers range from 10 to 19 years of age. Not only are they having fun and getting some great exercise, but they are learning a lifetime sport that they will be able to play for many years to come. A number of Curl Mesabi junior curlers have gone on to play at highly competitive levels in state, national and even world competitions.
Every Mon & Wed afternoon you will see upwards of 75 seniors playing in the senior league, some are in their 80’s and even 90’s! It’s a fabulous way to stay physically & socially active in those golden years.
Stay tuned for our latest project – construction of the World’s Largest Curling Broom and Stone – a great companion for the world’s largest hockey stick in Eveleth!
World’s Largest Curling Broom & Stone
Now Accepting Scholarship Applications
Every year, multiple $500 college / vocational scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who are Curl Mesabi curlers, going…
Read More“In Memory Of” Donations
- Louis “Laser Eyes” McGraw, who loved curling – from the staff at YMCA Camp Warren (2025)
- Sandy Newberg – from Minnesota Gold Star Meats (2024)
- George Harvey & Bob Lind – COVID Relief Donations (2020)
- Jerry Halttunen (“Chili’s” Dad) – from John & Susie Pearsall (2018)
- All the curlers who have passed away – from John & Susie Pearsall (2018)
Our Funds
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General Legacy / Outreach Support Fund
Special projects are identified on an on-going basis.
Success stories ($27,200 to date):
2024 – Sponsored the USSMCA Senior Men’s National Curling Championships. This event brought 64 teams (256 curlers) from around the country to the Quad-Cities for four days. The estimated economic impact for the area was $312,000.
2024 – Stabilizers purchased to be used by members, new curlers, and visiting curlers to Curl Mesabi. A stabilizer is used for balance when sliding out and delivering a curling stone. Especially popular with senior curlers.
2023 – Safety helmets were purchased which are available for use free of charge to anyone playing at Curl Mesabi.
2021 – A new improved Curl Mesabi website was funded, creating greater visibility for curling activities and rental opportunities at Curl Mesabi and the Range Recreation Civic Center,
2019 – Curling supplies purchased for use at open curling events and lessons.
2019 – The Foundation has funded installation of new cameras & TV monitors above all the ice sheets at Curl Mesabi. Spectators are now able to see the “rocks in the house” on either end of the ice from the inside viewing area, greatly enhancing their viewing experience.
2018 – Curl Mesabi worked with Tourism Center at University of Minnesota Extension to conduct a study of and share with stake holders, the social and economic impact of Curl Mesabi and the Range Recreation Civic Center. This project was funded by the Curl Mesabi Foundation and the NE Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnership with University of Minnesota Extension.
2018 – The Foundation sponsored a send off celebration for our US Olympic Team.
2016 – The Foundation purchased fifty curling brooms to be used by new curlers at open houses and other “learn to curl” events.
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Rock Replacement Fund
Our old curling stones, from the old Eveleth & Gilbert curling clubs, were 50 years old…and needed to be replaced. The cost was $72,500. The Foundation created a Rock Replacement Fund and successfully funded this project. Special THANK YOU to USA Curling for the interest free loan!
Success stories ($72,500):
November 2024 – The rocks are paid off and are all ours! They have been used not just by our membership, but by participants in the 2023 USA Curling Club Nationals, 2023 & 2024 USA Curling Arena Nationals, 64 teams in the 2024 USSMCA Senior Men’s National Championships, the 2024 Last Chance Mixed Doubles Olympic Qualifiers, and of course…numerous Curl Mesabi bonspiels.
2020-2021 Season – The new rocks have arrived, and will be enjoyed for many, many years to come!
2019 – Curl Mesabi has signed a five year, interest free, loan agreement with USA Curling to purchase 130 new curling stones (8 sheets + 2 extra). Between $30,250 in the Rock Replacement Fund and selling our current rocks for about $20,000, we are well on our way with over $50,000 towards the $72,300 needed for the new stones.
2018 – $20,000 in the fund.
2017 – $6,000 in the fund.
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Junior Development Fund
Our junior curlers are the future of our sport. The Curl Mesabi Foundation is committed to cultivating a love for the sport that can follow them well into their golden years.
Foundation funds will:
- Support efforts to develop youth curling programs, including the Curl Mesabi Junior Curling Program, and the Curl Mesabi Junior Bonspiel which attracts young curlers from around the state.
- Support competitive junior player development, including participation in bonspiels and training programs.
Success stories ($10,000 to date):
2016, 2024 ($2,250) – Purchased equipment for the Curl Mesabi Junior Curling Program
2017, 2022, 2024 ($2,220) – Sponsored the Curl Mesabi Junior Bonspiel
2018, 2023, 2024 ($3,000) – Paid competition entry fees for Curl Mesabi junior curlers
2018, 2023, 2024 ($2,540) – Junior curler development camps
2017 – The Foundation was able to bring Team Shuster to visit area schools before leaving for the 2018 Olympics. Little did they know, the team would win gold that year!
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Scholarship Fund
Every year college / vocational scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who are curlers, going to at least one girl and one boy attending school in the fall. Recipients are chosen through a random drawing.
Success stories / Scholarship Recipients ($5,000 to date):
2023 – Jake Bradach.
2020 – Madeline Potts.
2019 – Seven Curl Mesabi junior curlers received scholarships thanks to on the spot fundraising at the general membership meeting. Tucker Johnson, Paris Pontinen, Janie Potts, Bryce Wainio, Ben Pettinelli, Austin Harvey, Cori Ringsred.
2018 – At the spring membership meeting, there were three applicants for the scholarship. John Mayasich suggested that an additional $500 be collected on the spot, and all three applicants were awarded scholarships. THANKS everyone for your generosity!
CONGRATULATIONS to the first winners of the annual Curl Mesabi Foundation College Scholarship – Zia Koepke, Brody Haavisto and Jered Celley!
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Nels Englund Senior Bonspiel Fund
Our senior curlers are the legacy of our sport. The Nels Englund Bonspiel is our senior club championship, filled with years of tradition, pride and memories. This fund will assure the bonspiel will be held for many years to come.
In 2017, Bill Hill, our most senior curler, generously made the first contribution to this fund in support of the championship.
Success stories ($11,900 to date):
2017 to 2025 – the championship has been funded every year, except for 2020 when the curling club was closed due to COVID-19.
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