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When life gave them melting ice, Lamont’s curling community turned to beer kegs — and ended up creating a wildly popular new event that’s putting their small Alberta town on the map.
Keg curling might not make it to the Olympics anytime soon, but in Lamont, Alberta, it just might become a beloved local tradition.
The Lamont Curling Club, which has hosted its annual Last Chance Bonspiel for nearly four decades, faced a major setback this year. The club’s mechanical ice plant — vital for maintaining proper curling conditions — malfunctioned, causing the ice to melt and forcing organizers to cancel the event for the first time in its 37-year history.
“We had 48 teams registered from across Alberta and even some from out of province,” said club treasurer Lynn Huxley. “There was even a waitlist. But instead of just closing our doors, we made lemonade out of the lemons!”
That twist of creativity led to the birth of keg curling. Thanks to a connection between club president Aaron Geiger and keg rental company Kegshare, the club secured a batch of metal beer kegs from Edmonton — and a new sport was born. Just like traditional curling, players slid the hefty kegs down the slushy rink ice toward a target, giving rise to laughs, cheers, and plenty of excitement.
“It might be the first time keg curling has ever been played in Alberta,” Huxley said.
Despite the challenges, the community rallied. About 150 people came out for the event, with some even turning the watery rink into a makeshift slip n’ slide. The event wasn’t just fun — it was also fruitful. The club earned around $2,000 in profit, not counting proceeds from the bar and concession, which are still being tallied. Supporters and sponsors, including Tim’s Ice Manufacturing, even contributed unexpected prize donations.
Though the fundraiser didn’t reach the usual levels, the spirit of community was undeniable.
“The support from curlers, volunteers, and the town was overwhelming,” said Huxley. “It truly was the most amazing night.”
Still, the future of the Lamont Curling Club remains uncertain. Like many rural clubs, high maintenance costs and a lack of volunteers pose serious threats to staying open next season.
But for now, Lamont is holding onto hope — and the memory of a night when beer kegs saved the day.
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