ASSINIBOIA — Since it was announced that the Assiniboia Curling Club is celebrating their 90th anniversary in 2025, many notable Assiniboia residents have been talked about for their roles in Assiniboia’s curling community and the province and country as well.
Cyril Walters was one such person. He was inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 1986.
Walters served as the Canadian Curling Association’s president from 1982 to 1983.
Induction information on the Canadian Curling Association website states, “Cy Walters first become involved in curling administration at the Assiniboia Curling Club, where he served a number of terms as director and finally president. His involvement swung to the provincial level beginning in 1964 with the Saskatchewan Curling Association. In 1976, Walters was elected president of the association for one term.”
Walters served as Saskatchewan chairman of the Seagram Mixed Championship, president and delegate to the CCA. The curling enthusiast was born in Kingstone, Ont. and operated his an automotive parts and glass supply company in Assiniboia.
Walters would have known the flapping thunderous sound made from straw and foam brooms while sweepers worked to get the rock in the house, but he would not have experienced any of the latest broom controversies surrounding flathead foam brush heads. He would have experienced curling in matching knit sweaters as often rinks were cold compared to the sleeveless players of today. And the whole world of curling has changed, expanding beyond provincial and Canadian borders as well as evolving into more competitive events for curlers to have a full season to curl in, although it has showcased a clear division of pro and amateur curlers and events.
The Assiniboia Times reached out to the family of Cy Walters for their recollection of their dad’s involvement in so many curling aspects across the country.
Jason Walters, Cy’s eldest son, said, “I guess I would have been eight to 10 years old when I first became aware that dad was a big part of Assiniboia’s, and the province’s, curling community. It was one of the times Assiniboia hosted southern or provincial men’s playdowns in the old Civic Centre. I remember going into the press box with him. At that age, you thought your dad was the best, so it was cool to be able to go with him to some of these things.”
Jason noted that everyone in the Walters family curled and that he grew up with pictures on the wall of his grandpa, dad and cousins winning bonspiels.
“Any time I went to a curling event with my dad, I not only felt or saw the recognition he received, but I also came to realize what a community it is which my dad was so drawn to. Being a part of that was more special than any recognition. It was like an extended family. Especially the year he was president of the Canadian Curling Association. I attended the Brier in Sudbury that year, and we were treated like royalty. There was a vehicle with a driver outside our hotel all day long who would take us anywhere, anytime.”
Jason said he was pursuing a degree in university most of the year his dad was president of CCA so he didn’t notice that his dad was away much of the time.
However, brother Barton says, “I was only 13 to 14 years old when he was president and inducted into the Hall of Fame, so I have little recollection of how that all went. I was just enjoying the weekend of freedom with him always being gone.”
Rita Walters noted that when Cy served as president of CCA, she can remember he was home only 10 days out of that whole season.
Jason acknowledges that he tries to attend at least a couple of games whenever the Brier is in Calgary and he can still see and feel that community that his dad was a big part of.
“My desire to give back to my community was learned from Dad. He was involved in more than curling as he was also part of town council, Assiniboia Housing Authority and Kinsmen. I expect he got that from his father,” adds Jason.
Cy’s eldest son said he feels it would be hard to pick the biggest highlight of his dad’s curling contributions, but one thing stands out.
“The thrill of being on a CBC broadcast doing some colour commentary at least once. Dad was part of the CCA at a time when the sport was starting to change a lot. They wanted to be in the Olympics, so things like physical fitness became important. Managing the time it took to play a game was something that had to change to appease the broadcast companies. I think he was proud of being part of all that.”
Rita adds, “A huge highlight for him was wearing Canadian colors and throwing the first rock at the world championship (then known as Silver Broom), in Regina in 1983, the same year he was president.”
Nine decades of history don’t’ just happen. They need people to commit to an association’s viability, longevity, evolve with change and dedicate to maintaining Assiniboia’s curling community for the future. Walters is but one of those people. Stay tuned as we hope to continue with stories of those community builders who were an integral part of Assiniboia’s 90-year curling history.
