Paralympic champion Sonja Gaudet and world curling legend Bernie Sparkes headline inaugural class

Curl BC is proud to announce the official launch of the BC Curling Hall of Fame, which will recognize individuals who have made a lasting impression on the history, heritage, and culture of curling in British Columbia.

Leading the inaugural class of inductees are Paralympian Sonja Gaudet of Vernon, and Bernie Sparkes of Chilliwack—the only two British Columbians to have been inducted into all three of the World Curling Hall of Fame, Canadian Curling Hall of Fame, and BC Sports Hall of Fame. Gaudet was also awarded the Order of Sport in 2020 when she entered Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

“We wanted to find a way to inaugurate our curling hall in a way that best represented the rich history for our sport in BC,” said Earlene Graham of Coquitlam, Chair of the BC Curling Hall of Fame Committee and a member of Curl BC’s Board of Governors. “Retroactively inducting those who were already representing curling in either the World Curling Hall of Fame, Canadian Curling Hall of Fame and BC Sports Hall of Fame was that inspired solution.”

Celebrating Champions

Sonja Gaudet is Canada’s most decorated wheelchair curler, having won Paralympic gold medals at Turin 2006, Vancouver 2010, and Sochi 2014. Born in North Vancouver and now residing in Vernon, she also served as Canada’s flag bearer at the Sochi Games. Her dominance extended beyond the Paralympics—she captured three World Wheelchair Curling Championships in 2009, 2011, and 2013.

Her trailblazing accomplishments have earned her a place in the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame (2013), BC Sports Hall of Fame (2020), Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (2020), and most recently, the World Curling Hall of Fame (2024). She is also among the rare Canadians featured on a Canada Post stamp, celebrating her status as one of the nation’s all-time great Paralympians.

Bernie Sparkes, originally from Alberta, is a three-time World Champion (1966, 1968, 1969) and one of Canada’s most accomplished male curlers. After moving to B.C. in 1970, he went on to represent the province in the Brier multiple times, earning silver in 1978 and bronze in 1976. He appeared in the Brier 12 times overall, including eight for B.C..

Sparkes also claimed nine men’s provincial titles in B.C., as well as one Masters over-70 title and one mixed championship. A former baseball prospect with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he was inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 1974, the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 1995, and the World Curling Hall of Fame in 2021.

A New Home for Curling History in BC
The BC Curling Hall of Fame has inducted a foundational group of 76 individuals who have previously been recognized by one or more of the major halls of fame. These inductees span more than a century of curling history in the province.

“On behalf of our Chair of the Board of Governors Lyle Sieg, the Board and management team of Curl BC, we are very pleased to be moving forward with a plan to inaugurate the BC Curling Hall of Fame with a special class of 76 curlers, builders and pioneers of the sport,” said Scott Braley, CEO of Curl BC. “Headed by Sonja Gaudet and Bernie Sparkes, this special class spans more than 100 years of curling achievement in British Columbia and represents what we believe to be a deserving starting point and dynamic cross-section of those who have helped shape curling history, heritage and culture in our province.”

Curl BC will build a virtual Hall of Fame on curlbc.ca and work with interested member facilities to serve as community showcases or “satellite” hubs for the Hall. Facilities interested in participating will be encouraged to apply.

Starting in 2026, the Hall will induct up to seven individuals or teams each year, including curlers, builders, and pioneers of the sport in BC.

“We are very proud of our comprehensive baseline class and we look forward to receiving future nominations to the BC Curling Hall of Fame in the months and years ahead, with more details on selection criteria and timelines to come at curlbc.ca,” said Graham, noting that the Hall will begin accepting new nominations annually with a March 31 deadline, starting in 2026.

We Need Your Help!

We are looking for the contact information for these inductees or their family members:

If you have their contact information, please reach out to Bryan Chan at bchan@curlbc.ca.

If you have any historic materials, artifacts, memorabilia, or anything else that could help preserve and celebrate curling’s rich legacy in British Columbia, please don’t hesitate to contact Bryan as well.