The four curling Richardsons were honoured on Saturday with the unveiling of a sign acknowledging curling history.

The Richardsons, all originating from the Stoughton area, are the only four-time world champions.

The sign unveiling was a part of the Stoughton in Stoughton Curling Club fund-raising dinner and auction held at the Stoughton Memorial Hall. Over 190 people gathered to listen to guest speakers, reigning Manitoba champion and former-world champion Jeff Stoughton and four-time world champion Sam Richardson share curling stories.

"We are proud that the community would recognize us," said Sam Richardson. "The whole sign unveiling was a surprise. We were not told about it beforehand."

The dinner served the dual purpose of honouring the Richardsons' accomplishments and to raise money for the construction of a new curling club.

"The organization of the dinner was a great community effort." said organizer Laird Gervais. "Everyone took on part of organizing the event and it worked out well."

Gervais noted that the guest speakers were an important marketing aspect to the event. He added that having Jeff Stoughton accept his invitation to Stoughton was a great help to market the dinner and auction.

Stoughton was intrigued by the marketing aspect of the dinner.

"I found out about the dinner from Jim Richardson and Jerry Clark," said Stoughton. "They asked me if I could come and I said I would be happy to. The idea for the name Stoughton in Stoughton was kind of cute. How can you pass up an opportunity like that? It was a kind offer on their part. I'm happy to have been a part of this."

Stoughton was impressed by the community spirit involved in making the event a success.

"They are well on their way to making their target of $100,000. That is what it takes to build a curling club."

Stoughton added: "Curling is a lifetime sport. A curling club can be used for generations to come. Without new facilities like the one planned here, communities die. That is why it is so important."

The dinner is only one part of the fund-raising drive. The curling club has rented land and received donations of seed, chemicals and labour to seed and harvest a crop. The proceeds will go to the new curling club project.

"The canola will be swathed in a week," said Gervais. "The barley will take a little longer, but it looks all right. We will need volunteer labour to take the crop off the field."

Sam Richardson is pleased with the efforts of the curling club construction committee.

"I'll bring a team up to play in the new rink," said Richardson. "I'm not sure how well Ernie and I will do, but we will sure try."

Including the dinner and auction, the curling club has raised or taken pledges for $50,000. Once the $100,000 target is reached, the Town of Stoughton will match those funds provided that fund-raising projects are in place for the next five to ten years. Those funds will be contributed to the estimated $450,000 project.