Fred Veale, owner of Canada Curling Stone in Komoka, Ont., holds a curling rock with a removed centre. Used curling stones that cannot be refinished are often used as decorative items. The company, near London, is one of only two in the world that refinish curling stones. (Mark Spowart/MARK SPOWART FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL)
Kevin Posthumus attaches a used curling stone to a "coring lathe" which will cut out the old worn running surface so new granite can be inserted. (Mark Spowart/MARK SPOWART FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL)
Wayne Tuck polishes a curling stone, one of the final steps in refinishing the rocks, while partially completed stones wait to be finished. (Mark Spowart/MARK SPOWART FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL)
The final polish of a refinished curling stone can take up to 30 minutes. A new set of 16 curling rocks can cost a club more than $10,000, whereas refurbishing them by inserting a new running surface costs just over $4,000. (Mark Spowart/MARK SPOWART FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL)
A diamond-tipped lathe carves the running surface into a rock. The surface on each rock must be consistent. (Mark Spowart/MARK SPOWART FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL)
Kevin Posthumus cleans a curling rock that has had the old running surface removed, while a row of stones await the insertion of new granite. Curling rocks can last 50 to 60 years, but over time the running surfaces become worn. Replacing the surface with new granite extends the rock's life. (Mark Spowart/MARK SPOWART FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL)
Partially completed curling rocks wait to be finished. Once curling season is over, clubs from across Canada and the United States begin to ship their rocks to the company, where the old running surface is removed and new granite inserted. (Mark Spowart/MARK SPOWART FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL)
Partially completed curling rocks are stacked, ready for finishing. The numbers on the sides of the rocks indicate their weight in pounds. (Mark Spowart/MARK SPOWART FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL)
to get it and come back to see the ad in front of this gallery.
