Rock Handle FAQs
ROCK HANDLE REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN FAQs
This campaign replaces aging rock handles while celebrating 70 years of curling excellence at Dixie. Your support helps refresh our ice, honour our history, and leave a lasting mark for future generations.
Why we’re replacing our rock handles
The rock handles have surpassed their expected life. Many of our rock handles are more than 20 years old, and several have already required replacement due to wear. This renewal is an opportunity to recognize our 70-year milestone, help extend the life of the rocks, refresh our curling environment, and create a lasting memento for members and supporters.
How are we funding this project?
Dixie is asking for a minimum donation to replace each rock handle. Donors will be recognized with personalization on a rock handle, or they can choose to recognize a special someone in a meaningful and lasting way with a personalized engraving.
Donation minimums & participation
This initiative is considered a fundraiser as well as a constructive refresh of Dixie Curling Centre (DCC) and our curling experience. The minimum $325 donation is meant to be accessible while meaningfully supporting the rock handle replacement project and refurbishing the lounge and entrance vestibule.
Is my donation eligible for a tax receipt?
Yes. While DCC is not a registered charity, we partner with the National Sport Trust Fund (NSTF), a CRA‑recognized organization that enables tax receipts for amateur sport donations in Ontario. All donations greater than $10 are eligible for a tax receipt.
How do I get my name on a rock handle?
Take part in this 70th anniversary campaign by making a minimum donation. Once a donation is received, you will receive an email with a link to an online form to complete donor recognition on a rock handle.
$325 feels like a sizable donation
We understand that $325 is a meaningful contribution. Rock handles are a long‑term investment and will not be replaced for at least 10 years unless required due to breakage. That works out to about $32.50 per year to have your name on the ice for 10 years!
In addition, the full donation amount is eligible for a tax receipt, which may reduce the net cost by 20–50% depending on your tax situation.
Can I just give a donation and not be recognized on a rock handle?
Yes, and thank you! Any amount over $10 will be eligible for a tax receipt through NSTF.
What is the NSTF?
The NSTF is an organization that helps amateur sport access funds through donation to create and improve facilities. It is recognized by the Canadian Revenue Agency to act as the provincial fund manager for donations made to amateur sport. Donations will be made to the National Sport Trust Fund - Ontario (NSTF-Ontario) and then directed to the individual organizations on a quarterly basis.
How do I make my donation?
- This link or QR code will take you to the NSTF donation page.
- Under “Organizations Name” select Dixie Curling Centre
- Under “Project Name” Select Dixie Curling Club Operating and Capital Fund Project
- Complete the remainder of the form. Once your donation is received, we will send you a form to complete your personalization of a rock handle (for all donations of $325 or more).
Who can donate?
Members and alumni, families and teams, businesses, and community supporters — especially those who want to celebrate Dixie’s history or honour someone who makes or has made a difference in our curling community.
What donor recognition is included?
Each rock handle can feature a name, family name, team, business, or short dedication — creating a visible, lasting tribute on the ice. Many donors choose to recognize loved ones, volunteers, milestones, or championship curlers and teams.
What are the content guidelines?
Maximum 3 lines, maximum 18 characters per line including spaces and punctuation, only capital letters.
Is this a one-time cost?
Yes. Rock handle replacement is a one-time contribution that provides long-term recognition.
How can I pay?
NSTF accepts credit card payments online, or cheques by mail. Details are on the donation page of NSTF.
Can I have my name on more than one handle?
Yes. Each donation of $325 or more can be recognized on a separate rock handle.
Can more than one person combine donations to get their names on a rock handle?
Yes. Combined donations must total $325 or more. One personalization form will be completed. Include names of all donors for the single rock handle in the comments section so donations are linked.
I have other questions. Who can I speak to?
Direct questions and comments to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or a board member.
Be part of our story.
Celebrate 70 years of curling excellence at Dixie and leave a lasting mark on the ice for generations to come.
Make Your Mark In DCC History
Celebrate Dixie’s 70th anniversary with a rock that’s uniquely yours. A Once-in-a-Decade Opportunity.
As we celebrate 70 years of curling excellence at Dixie, we’re launching a special fundraising campaign to replace our aging rock handles—and recognize donors on the ice for years to come.
Our goal: donor recognition on every one of our curling rocks.
A minimum donation of $325:
- Replaces a rock handle
- Helps fund enhancements that improve the curling experience both on and off the ice (including contributing to lounge and entryway improvements)
- Includes a tax receipt for the full donation (through our partnership with the National Sport Trust Fund – Ontario)
- Includes personalized engraving on a rock handle of your choice (or in honour of someone special)
Do not delay: There are only 96 rock handles available, and the campaign needs to wrap by the end of May to ensure the new handles arrive in time for the 2026–27 season. Donate today and have your name on the ice for years to come.
- This link will take you to the NSTF donation page.
- Under “Organizations Name” select Dixie Curling Centre
- Under “Project Name” Select Dixie Curling Club Operating and Capital Fund Project
- Complete the remainder of the form. Once your donation is received, we will send you a form to complete your personalization of a rock handle (for all donations of $325 or more).
Please see the Rock Handle Replacement Campaign FAQ for details, including engraving guidelines and tax-receipting information.
Also, emails from NSTF-Ontario Fund Manager - DO NOT REPLY <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.> and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. may go to your junk or spam folders. Please check these if you do not see emails coming from these senders.
Should you have any questions about this once in a decade opportunity, please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will do our best to help.
Thank you for helping us honour our history and invest in the future of curling at Dixie.
Team Genjaga wins Stu Sells U18 Tankard
Congratulations to Dixie's Team Genjaga on winning the Stu Sells U18 Tankard this past weekend at the Oakville Curling Club. After a strong 3-1 round robin, the team was able to secure a 7-5 win over Team O. MacTavish in the semi final and stole 1 in the 8th end for a 7-6 victory over Team Fisher in a thrilling event final showcasing some excellent shotmaking by both teams. The team wants to thank the event sponsor Stu Sankey and Oakville's Ian Tetley for hosting a great event as well as the team's sponsors for their ongoing support as the they represent Dixie on the junior curling tour - Expedia Cruises Oakville South, Junior Slam Series, AMD Manufacturing, Hardline Curling, Dixie Outlet Mall, MilkUP Ontario, Richmond Station, Glenn Vaughan Real Estate, Dixie Curling, Bloor Street Dental and Dixie Day Women.
Team Bandurka finishes 5th in Canada as Team Ontario
Join us in congratulating Team Bandurka (Patricia Bandurka, Leta Greer, Meredith Czaniecki, and Stephanie Bandurka) on winning the Curling Ontario Club Provincial Championship and being named Team Ontario.
As a result of the win, they represented Ontario and Dixie at the Everest Funeral Concierge Canadian Curling Club Championships hosted by Barrie Curling Club. The national competition featured the best men’s and women’s teams from ten provinces, three territories, and Northern Ontario. The team made it to the quarter-finals, finishing a spectacular 5th in Canada.
Little Rocks Compete at Hit Draw Tap at Provincials
This past weekend, two of our Dixie Little Rock curlers had the opportunity to participate in the Hit Draw Tap Championships which took place in Cobourg, Ontario at the Provincial Championships.
Earlier this season, our Little Rock curlers participated in an in-club competition where they were divided into three age groups and execute three shots - a Hit, a Draw and a Tap. Their scores were posted to the National Scoreboard, and two of our youth were selected to participate in the Provincial Championship based on their top scores!
Neil Pike participated in the 8-9 age category, and James Clark participated in the 10-12 age category. They were calm under pressure and had a ton of fun! They received a swag bag of goodies, a pizza lunch, and stayed to watch the Men’s final event that took place right after their event. Congratulations to our Little Rock curlers! 
Horgan Brothers Qualify for Brier
DCC’s senior ice technician, Tanner Horgan, and his brother, Jacob (also playing out of DCC), have repeated as Northern Ontario champions and are headed back the Brier. Team Epping went undefeated in the NO Championships to qualify for the 2025 Montana’s Brier, Feb 28-Mar 9 in Kelowna, BC. Jacob throws Vice stones for Skip John Epping while Tanner plays second. Ian McMillan rounds out the team at lead. Team Epping was the top seed in the competition and was ranked 5th in Canada and 12th in the world going in the championships. They curl out of the Northern Credit Union Community Centre in Sudbury. Tanner and Jacob last represented Northern Ontario at the 2023 Bier as Team Horgan.
Team Garner Qualifies for Nationals
DCC’s Team Garner has qualified for the U20 Nationals following a great week at the Ontario Championships. The team, consisting of Noah Garner (skip), Kyle Stratton (vice), Jackson Dubinsky (second), and Carter Henry (lead), finished with a record of 6-3. Two of the three losses were to the ultimate champion, Team Nickolls.
Team Garner will now compete at the U20 Nationals as Team Ontario 2. The event is in Summerside, PEI, Mar 22-30. The team and families will have to pay all travel and accommodation costs associated with the competition. If you are interested in helping the team with a financial contribution or assist with fundraising or sponsorship, please contact the office.
Scotties Tournament of Hearts coming to Mississauga
The Canadian women's curling championship will be held in Mississauga 2026, Curling Canada announced this morning during a press conference at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre Sportsplex.
It's the first time the annual event has been held in Mississauga.
"With an event as iconic and historic as the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, it is getting rarer to have true firsts, so we're excited to bring this event to Mississauga for the first time," Curling Canada chief executive officer Nolan Thiessen said in a statement.
"The Canadian women's curling championship has always been a staple of the Canadian sporting calendar, and we can't wait to see the energy and enthusiasm that Mississauga and the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) will bring to the occasion."
DCC’s Sue Baird played an integral role on the TCA bid committee, chaired by TCA President Sean Holman. Sue will stay on in a yet-to-be decided role with the organizing committee. The whole bid process has taken three years, started when Sue was DCC President. The City of Mississauga was also a strong proponent of successful host bid.
There will be plenty of opportunity for DCC members to volunteer for the iconic event. Details will be released shortly on you can sign up. Advance ticket packages will be going on sale in February, according to Curling Canada.
The 5,000-seat host venue is home to Raptors 905 of the NBA G League and the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League. The arena is a 15-minute drive from DCC.
The 10-day competition will begin Jan. 23, a few weeks earlier than normal since the Milan Olympics will be held in February 2026. The women's team that represents Canada at the Games will not be eligible to compete at the 2026 Scotties.
"Having the Scotties Tournament of Hearts come to Mississauga is an incredible opportunity for our curling community," said Curling Ontario executive director Matt Allen.
"A lot of excitement builds around this event - especially heading into an Olympic year - and we're confident the host committee will put together a spectacular event for everyone."
We will share more information as it becomes available.
Dixie Team Headed to World Senior Men's Championship
The Dixie Curling Centre logo will be seen at the World Senior Men’s Championship in Fredericton, NB, Apr. 26-May 3.
The Slovenian Curling Federation has nominated the Canadian Slovenian Curling Association (CSCA) to represent Slovenia in the World Senior Men's Curling Championships 2025. Representing Slovenia in Fredericton are DCC members John Kajin, John Kolenko, Val Koncan, Tony Krosel, John Kumer and Stan Ulcar.
This exciting Canada-Slovenia collaboration was proposed last year when the CSCA hosted the Secretary General of the Slovenian Curling Federation, Gregor Rigler in Toronto. He and a colleague experienced several Canadian curling clubs, including DCC, and other community cultual centres. They experienced first hand how we nurture our Slovenian heritage in Canada.
The Canadian Slovenian Curling Association (CSCA) was founded in 2018 with a dream to connect Canadian Slovenian curlers with those in Slovenia. Since its inception, the CSCA has travelled twice to Slovenia to participate in the country’s annual curling bonspiel, while developing close ties with the Slovenian curling community. The CSCA represents over 2 dozen Slovenian curlers and their families. They hold events for Slovenians and friends at their host club, the Dixie Curling Centre and can be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039991401161
Last year the annual World Senior Curling Championship was held in Östersund, Sweden with 26 countries represented by 29 teams with about 200 men and women, 50 years of age and older. This year they have 20 countries competing including Slovenia. Canada has dominated the event during its 22-year history for both men and women, winning a total of 29 championships. Slovenia has qualified and competed 3 times in the past 10 years.
Team Moretto Wins TCA Senior Mixed
Congratulations to Team Moretto who won the Senior division at the TCA Mixed Chamionship. The tournament took place from February 5 - February 9, 2025 and the finals were hsoted at Thornhill Curling Club. The team consists of Denis Moretto, Hanna Davis, Karen Gureau, and Paul Attard. Team Moretto won in a sweep, besting their oponents in all five of their games!
Team Shinde Threepeats
Team Shinde won the Open division at the TCA Mixed Chamionship which took place from February 5 - February 9, 2025. The team consists of Craig Shinde, Patricia Bandurka, Chris Jamieson, and Stephanie Bandurka. This is the team's third consecutive win at TCA's and their fourth since 2018! Congratulations Team Shinde!
Dixie to host 2026 U-15 Rockfest East
Dixie Curling Centre is set to host U-15 Rockfest East in 2026! Rockfest offers a blend of training and competitive play and aims to help young curlers become well-rounded players and reach their full potential. Rockfest East will see 72 curlers ages 11-14 from Ontario, Nunavut, and Quebec visit Dixie from January 22nd – 24th, 2026 (aka opening weekend at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts).
There are four U-15 Rockfest events in total, with West, Atlantic, and Prairie events filling out the roster. Visit Curling Canada’s website for more information on the event: Curling Canada | 2026 U-15 RockFest!
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Learn-to-Curl ( LTC)
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