BLAINE, Minn. – A few years ago, the general manager of Fogerty Arena had the idea to build a curling facility. Mark Clasen knew the $3.5 million project would require a lot of planning, work, and support. He knew it was time to call in a professional—enter former Olympian John Benton.
Clasen contacted Benton to act as a liaison for the project. Four years later, his dream has finally come to fruition.
Last week marked the grand opening of the Four Seasons Curling Club and curling facility at Fogerty Arena. Other curling facilities in the greater Twin Cities region include clubs in St. Paul and Cambridge. Benton says Fogerty’s arena will soon have a full-service bar, restaurant, and inside viewing area, meaning spectators can stay warm while enjoying the game. The new arena is also giving curling fans across the continent something to cheer about. “The biggest thing is that we’re going to be year round,” Benton says with a smile. “There’s no other year round curling facility on the continent.”
So far the Four Seasons Curling Club has been met with great success. Over 400 people came to the free clinic hosted during its opening week. Benton attributes this to the sport’s appeal to the everyman. “We do make the game look very easy at the very highest levels. But that’s not to say that you can’t come out and learn how to curl very quickly” he explains.
