The Ground Is Broken!

A few miles south of the soon-to-be home of the Triangle Curling Club in Durham, there's a vacant lot where the following sign has been on display for the better part of five years:

During that time, no obvious progress has been made towards the construction of a school, even so much as the clearing of trees. This is certainly not a slight at Durham Public Schools; it's just an illustration that sometimes, these things take time. A long time.

So, when our curling club bought a piece of land (2310 So Hi Drive, Durham) and posted a similar sign on our property, we'd forgive anyone who might have been a little skeptical. How long would this sign be here, anyway? Two years? Five? Longer? "Future" could mean anything! Indeed, this sign has been on display for over a year now, with no obvious progress being made on the property itself. (Although, we did at least mow the lawn once or twice.)

This is why last Saturday's ceremonial groundbreaking was such a big day. At last, or legalese, financing, and construction contracts are in order, and we can actually start building our club!

(From left to right: PJ Feinson, Mike Hartman, Durham City Councilman Eddie Davis, TCC president Dave Hamilton, Murray Jackson, Lea Franklin.)

Not even a heavy drizzle (if there is such a thing) could keep a crowd of 50 to 75 enthusiastic curlers plus curious onlookers - but mostly curlers - away. Not today.

Digging up some ceremonial dirt mud is great and all, but of course, it's strictly ceremonial. Perhaps the most exciting thing to be found on the grounds of our new club this Saturday was this:

THIS IS ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT, YOU GUYS! FOR US! WE'RE BUILDING A CURLING CLUB! FOR REAL!

The next most exciting thing will be when we can take care of the abandoned house. It's kind of in the way. (We'll spare the bagpiper, though.)

For more pictures from the groundbreaking, visit our Facebook page. We're excited! Can you tell we're excited?