Irving, Texas – After years of fundraising and months of volunteer labor, the DFW Curling Club opened the doors to its brand‑new 30,000‑square‑foot facility on Sunday. The celebration, however, was quickly eclipsed by a break‑in that left the nonprofit scrambling to recover an estimated $20,000 in stolen tools, electronics and a damaged national trophy.
Break‑in details
Surveillance cameras captured an intruder entering the building’s porch just 30 minutes after members locked up for the night. Club President Brigitte Minucci said a member first noticed signs of the crime on Monday morning when the doors were left open, papers and gloves were scattered, and food had been tossed around the lobby.
The footage shows a man wandering the facility for several hours, wearing merchandise taken from the club’s pro shop. A second individual later joined him, and both moved through the ice shed, the locker area and the main hall, taking power tools, an iPad, speakers and a computer. The thieves also forced open a door, leaving smudged handprints that investigators hope will help identify them.
Financial impact and emotional toll
Minucci estimates the loss at $20,000, most of which consists of power tools owned by club members who spent months preparing the ice sheets and facility for the opening. “This is our USA National Curling trophy and they broke it,” Minucci said, describing the damage to the prized trophy.
For a nonprofit that relies on member contributions and years of fundraising, the theft is a painful setback. “I joked today, I said we cried when we got on the ice, and then apparently we cried the next day, too,” Minucci added, highlighting the emotional whiplash felt by volunteers and members.
Police investigation and next steps
Irving police are actively investigating the incident. Minucci expressed hope that the handprints and other evidence will lead to arrests. “Our biggest priority is recovering the stolen tools so members can continue their work at the facility,” she said. “We need to keep moving forward and right now we can’t.”
The club plans to tighten security measures, including additional cameras and reinforced entry points, to protect the facility and its members moving forward.
Community response
Local curling enthusiasts and supporters have rallied around the club, offering assistance and donations to replace essential equipment. The incident underscores the challenges nonprofit organizations face in safeguarding volunteer‑driven projects, especially during high‑profile events.
Despite the setback, the DFW Curling Club remains committed to promoting the sport of curling in North Texas and providing a family‑friendly environment for athletes of all ages.
Original reporting: Richardson, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
