Lyonel Doherty
Times-Chronicle
Oliver’s curling rink was louder than usual on Wednesday as long-time member Murray Soder turned 90.
A banner hanging above his head indicated something to the effect: “Shit, you’re old.”
Well, it’s true, isn’t is?
“I’m already speechless. It’s just by sheer good luck that I’m still here, that’s all I can say,” Murray mumbled to a room painted with laughter.
Soder is the oldest active member of the club, which he joined in the late 1960s. (1969 he recalls).
He started curling in Winnipeg in his early 20s and moved to Oliver in 1966.
The primary reason he curls is the social atmosphere and the camaraderie that the game is known for.
“You meet many friends, friends that last forever,” he said.
When asked if there was a secret to reaching 90, he attributed it to “more good luck than management.”
“I do some stretching exercises, other than that I can just about eat anything I want.”
Well, on Wednesday he had his cake and ate it too.
In a letter from Curl BC, CEO Scott Braley thanked Soder for helping organize the construction of the Oliver Arena.
“You’ve left an indelible mark on our sport and we’re all the better for it,” Braley said.
Soder, past president of Curl BC, was instrumental in the huge undertaking of constructing the local arena.
In early 1967, a meeting was called to discuss the project.
“We had lots of vociferous opponents who worried we were going to bankrupt the community,” he said in a written statement celebrating the arena’s 50th anniversary.
He recalled an elderly gentleman standing up and saying the community needed an arena for the kids, “even if we have to build it out of hay bales.”
That was the moment of truth, according to Soder.
After “nervous” meetings with various groups, the proposal was put to a referendum and easily passed.
In the ensuing years, many communities built their arenas and swimming pools based on the Oliver models, according to Soder.
“The first year the ice was scraped by hand and flooded with a barrel on wheels,” he recalled.
Carol Sheridan, manager of Oliver Parks and Recreation, said Soder has been inspirational in life due to his personal commitment to sport and recreation that has impacted so many people.
Local resident Jennifer Busmann said Soder is the “best darn curling coach ever.” She added he is a true spokesman and lover of the sport.
Curler Cathy Pidduck said Soder has been a member of the Oliver Curling Club since its inception more than 50 years ago.
“He was named an Honourary Life Member of the club because of all of his contributions. He is still going strong and working on a committee to add an addition to the club and make it accessible to people with disabilities.”
Pidduck said Soder often advocates for improvements in the community, and is always quick with a smile.
“The members of the club respect him as they know he is always ready to step forward and help in whatever way he can.”
Murray Soder is “rockin” the house on his 90th birthday with fellow curler Dale Dodge in the background.
(Photo by Lyonel Doherty)
