At 95 years young, Bert Wiens鈥� cheerful persona still fills the air of the curling rink 鈥� though now it鈥檚 from the stands rather than the ice.
Earlier this month, the Beaver Valley Curling Club witnessed a historic moment as Bert, a dedicated curler of more than four decades, threw his final stone down the ice to mark his 95th birthday.
For Bert, this wasn鈥檛 just a milestone 鈥� it was a farewell to a beloved pastime that had defined so much of his later years.
鈥淚 officially retired from curling at Christmas,鈥� Bert said with a chuckle. 鈥淏ut they had me come out on my birthday to throw one last rock. I couldn鈥檛 say no to that.鈥�
Born on Jan. 13, 1930, Bert has spent much of his adult life in the Beaver Valley community, where curling became a passion after he retired from a 37-year career with Teck Cominco.
Though his curling journey began in the 1980s, Bert鈥檚 enthusiasm for life was evident long before he first stepped onto the ice.
A talented saxophone player, Bert led 鈥淏ert鈥檚 Best,鈥� a musical band that graced stages for years before his transition into retirement and discovery of curling.
鈥淚 retired from the band and started curling,鈥� Bert recalled. 鈥淚t gave me something new to look forward to.鈥�
For decades, Bert played at the Beaver Valley Curling Club, where he became a fixture both on and off the ice.
While his playing days are now behind him, his involvement with the club hasn鈥檛 diminished.
He remains a regular visitor, cheering from the stands and enjoying the camaraderie of the sport he loves.
鈥淲e [curling club] operate four days a week now, and I go every day,鈥� he said.
When asked why he chose to step away from the ice, Bert offered the practical wisdom of a man who has lived a full and thoughtful life.
鈥淎t 95, I鈥檓 getting a little wobbly,鈥� he admitted. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want to take the chance of having a fall and being disabled. And I am fortunate to be this age 鈥� I still drive my car and I go wherever I please.鈥�
Bert鈥檚 zest for life extends beyond curling.
With a large family of over 40 鈥� including five children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren 鈥� he celebrated his milestone birthday surrounded by loved ones on the first day of the year, a family tradition that remains central to his life.
鈥淚 have a big family 鈥� we always have large family gatherings on New Year鈥檚 Day,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o we were all together.鈥�
Originally from Saskatchewan, Bert moved to Fruitvale in 1951 with his wife Isabella.
Together, the newlyweds built a life in the community. He worked as a pipefitter at Teck and became a cherished figure in the Beaver Valley community.
Over the years, Bert has watched the town grow and change, but the connections he built 鈥� through work, music, and curling 鈥� have remained steadfast.
As Bert steps into this new chapter, his story serves as a powerful reminder that age is just a number.
And though he鈥檚 no longer gliding across the ice, Bert鈥檚 legacy in the curling community will be felt for years to come.
For Bert, it鈥檚 simple: 鈥淟ife is good. And I don鈥檛 sit around much.鈥�
