Up from the ashes, curling club makes plans to rebuild

NORFOLK — Only two months after the Norfolk Curling Club was burned down as part of an alleged crime spree by two young men from out of town, club members have begun tearing down the remains of the building and raising funds to rebuild.The arson fire at the club on Dec. 18 destroyed the steel-and-wood structure, which was built in 1961. Awaiting trial for the fire and other acts of vandalism are Kyle Majewski, 19, from Sandisfield, Mass., and Matthew Carey, 20, of Torrington.Norfolk Curling Club President Mary Fanette said that the club does not have a solid estimate of how much it will cost to rebuild. Club members gathered on Saturday, Feb. 5, to begin demolition work and express their commitment to rebuilding.“We are guessing that, based on other clubs which have constructed new buildings over the years, we will need to raise $1 million, at least, for a new building,” Fanette said. “The insurance company will be covering part of the funds that we need, but we do not know how much they will be covering because we don’t have a settlement from them yet.”Fanette said the club has not settled on a design for what the new curling club will look like.“A lot of people hope that we will have a facility by the time next season comes around,” she said. “I think that is very optimistic. We will obviously do our best to get up and functioning as soon as possible.”The Norfolk Curling Club is accepting donations through its website at www.norfolkcurlingclub.org.