It began as a friendly conversation between friends and curling enthusiasts.

The dream of having a dedicated curling center in Brainerd — the first of its kind — fueled countless hours of volunteer work to take dream to cold, hard, icy reality.

Thanks to a generous $1 million donation from Fran Holden, the Brainerd Lakes Curling Club now has its own four sheets of ice.

This Sunday, the club is hosting a grand opening/open house to introduce the gleaming, colorfully painted ice to the community.

“We’ve never seen something like this in the Brainerd area,” said Paul Murray, club vice president. “You can see the excitement on the part of everybody. We just want a real, good successful season.”

What curling club members say attracts them to the sport — a sense of camaraderie and team work — is what has helped them build their own facility. Kevin Madsen, from the Willmar Curling Club, provided his ice expertise. Rocks, which curling teams glide across the ice sheets to their colorful targets, came from Hibbing.

Andy Miles, curling association board chairperson, said the curling world in general is willing to lend a hand. Miles said a reason curling appealed to him was because of the friendly competition and team environment where even an opposing team is willing to provide a helpful pointer — all in the interest of growing the sport. Club members said the ability to stay active during the winter in what is a life-long sport is another draw. Getting the rock to stop on ice in the desired spot, is something even novices can get the hang of, club members said. And, both Susan Rogers and Ginny McDonald said every member of the team is important.

“It’s like chess,” said Dave Bohlander, facilities manager in Brainerd. Bohlander said he likes it as long as he doesn’t have to sweep. Murray said the challenge of the sport is part of what keeps him coming back to the ice.

Brett Smith, club membership co-chair, is still absorbing the reality of the curling center.

“I haven’t realized it myself,” he said. “It’s just remarkable. I can’t wait to actually get on the ice.”

Sunday’s open house will be the first chance for many club members to get on the ice for the first time. Smith said he first got interested in curling after living on the Iron Range where it is a dominant television sport. “It’s just huge on the Iron Range, absolutely huge.”

But it wasn’t until he moved to Brainerd and attended an open house that he started curling. The Brainerd Lakes Curling Club formed in 2006. It wasn’t hard to pick up, he said. That was four years ago. Now Smith tells newcomers it’s worth a try and is a sort of combination between shuffleboard and bowling.

Brainerd’s Hy-Tec construction company built the curling facility with its ice sheets and enclosed, heated observation area. Without a dedicated facility for curling, the club had limited available ice time, either at the Hallett Community Center in Crosby or the Brainerd Area Civic Center.

The club is working on a five-year plan to develop curling in the Brainerd lakes area. Plans include developing high school-age curling and growing the program here at all age levels. Building the dedicated curling facility opens up opportunities to host curling tournaments in Brainerd and, although initial plans to build a restaurant and bar was scaled back, fundraising efforts are ongoing to eventually add them in the future.

When Holden recently visited the facility and held a rock, club members said the curling club was bigger and better than she envisioned.

Already, nearly 30 teams are preparing for league play. A full membership costs $150 for roughly 12 weeks of curling and free open ice time from noon to 2 p.m. Saturdays in February. Substitutes pay $50, and also get open ice time, and can sub on their specific teams or any team that happens to be short handed. Team sign-ups are being accepted through the end of the open house on Sunday.

An intro to curling class, for ages 10-18, is offered 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays in February through the Brainerd School District Community Education. League practice starts 6 p.m. Tuesday with league play starting Feb. 7. Leagues will be curing through mid-April. For video, go to www.brainerddispatch.com.

Smith said curling is a social event and provides something to do through the winter. Something on ice that’s still, usually, warmer than the air temperature outdoors. Smith said: “It’s just camaraderie and being part of a team, yet everybody is helping everybody.”

RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at 855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com.