Web site helps Philadelphia club find new members

Editor’s note: “Sweeping Palaces” is a new U.S. Curling News feature profiling member clubs across the country. We hope that these profiles will help readers learn more about their fellow curlers and curling clubs in the United States, and that they may also further the sharing of ideas between clubs.

Who: Philadelphia Curling Club

Address: 65 Plank Road, Paoli, PA  19301

Web site: www.philadelphiacurlingclub.org

Club phone: 610-644-9803

Club contact: Brian Dudt, president

History: The club was incorporated in 1958 with five charter members. The club built its clubhouse in 1965.

Number of sheets of ice: 2

Number of members: 120

What is unique about your club? “We have no paid staff and do everything ourselves. We have a boutique store on our Web page,” said Alisa McCann, club secretary.

Major events: Harvest bonspiel (November, mixed), Silver Mushroom (in-house mixed), junior bonspiel, GNCC bonspiels.

How often can members curl? Men – four times a week; women – three times a week; mixed, juniors, Little Rockers, once a week; open competitive, once a week.

Types of programs: Mixed, men’s, women’s (Belles), juniors, Little Rockers (ages 5-12), and competitive (open).

Community involvement: The club is available for corporate events (team building exercises, etc.), Boy Scout outings and other community events. An Olympic open house fund-raiser was held for the Special Olympics.

Steps to attract new members: Open houses; classes through local high school continuing education school; Web site.