On the button: Montreal family builds curling rink in yard for their three boys

This isn’t your typical backyard rink.

For starters, it was built on the side of the Janidlo family home in Kirkland, on Montreal’s west island.

There are no stick battles, top-shelf shots or pucks ricocheting off the boards at all hours of the night. And nobody’s even wearing skates.

That’s because the Janidlos turned their yard into a curling sheet, to the absolute delight of brothers Charlie, 10, Zachary, 13, and Nicolas, 13.

“The reason why I love curling is, it’s such a complex sport,” said Zachary. “It’s strategy, but you still need skill to be able to be good at it.”

Added Charlie with enthusiasm: “I like all of it. I just like all of it.”

Following their grandfather’s love of the sport, the brothers each began curling at five years old. Their mom and dad are now curlers too, making the family’s love of the sport three-generational.

“We can curl with my dad, and me, and my kids at the same time, on the same sheet, playing in a game together,” said father Steve Janidlo. “So, I’d say there’s not very many sports that you can do that.”

Two of the Janidlo brothers with their grandfather at a curling event. (Credit: Janidlo family handout)

It also connects them a little to Montreal’s Canadian curling heritage. In 1807 the Montreal Curling Club was formed, becoming the first organized sporting club in North America.

It’s the second year the family has put together a curling sheet on the side of the house. It’s 80 feet long – roughly half the size of a 150-foot regulation curling rink.

The family says the process of getting the sheet of ice operational is surprisingly easy. And so is the upkeep, especially in relation to hockey rinks, which need constant maintenance throughout the winter and after every use.

The Janidlos don’t rewater their ice surface after playing on it. The only real maintenance is “pebbling,” when droplets of water freeze on the ice to help the rocks slide.

“So this is part of why this was built,” said mother Lisa Marie. “They are competitive curlers, so they’re on the provincial under-18 circuit in Quebec and we wanted to make sure that they can still practise throughout the pandemic.”

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For 13-year-old Nicolas, having his own curling sheet means having a good time with family, making memories.

“While we’re out on the ice, you can see us just laughing, making jokes, that’s pretty much what we do out on the ice. It’s just fun,” he said.

The three brothers intend to be watching closely when Canada begins its curling journey at the Beijing Winter Olympics – with entries in the men’s, women’s and mixed events.

Canada is the most decorated country in curling Olympic history with six golds, three silvers and two bronze.

The Janidlo family will be cheering the Canadians on.

“Go team Canada,” shouted the three boys, in unison.