Local curler turns 94, hopes to get several more years on the ice

By John Watson Local Journalism initiative Reporter

Celebrating his 94th birthday, Lido Kondo is still enjoying the sport of curling, 70 years after first taking to the ice. 

“I think I started way back in 1952. Some of my friends got me (into it) way back then. I really liked it, so I stuck with it,” said Kondo who added that he was never one to be competitive with his curling, save for the odd bonspiel and seniors’ league at the curling club. 

“I like the friendship. We just curl for the exercise and just to be with our group, with other curlers and having a good time,” said Kondo. “I’m pretty lucky that way. I really like the game and I hope I can go for a few more years yet, I don’t know. I’m kind of lucky that way that I can still do it.”

Kondo’s daughter, Colleen, said although her dad never lost the love for curling, it was far from the only sport that has kept him active over the last 70 years.

“He square danced quite a bit from 1975 to about 2010 and after that, he was always golfing. When he quit golfing because of his shoulder, he ended up jogging in the mornings instead,” said Colleen. “He was in the opening ceremonies … in the 1988 Winter Olympics square dancing group. They formed the prairie rose, the group of them.”

Colleen added Kondo had also spent time taking up cross country skiing among his other sports of choice. She suspects that her dad has been able to continue being involved in sports simply because he doesn’t stop moving.

She also described Kondo as a lifetime community member who was often volunteering where he was able.

Back when Kondo first started curling, athletes made use of natural ice rather than the artificial arenas that are used today. Colleen joked that when chinooks rolled through town, her dad and his fellows would have to wait for the ice to re-freeze before they would be able to finish games. 

After concluding their activities on the ice for Lido’s birthday, the friends and family who had gathered to celebrate, retreated to hear speeches about Lido and to further celebrate the occasion.