Just over one half of the rocks in the Cranbrook Curling Club’s arsenal are being rejuvenated. Curlers, expect some Brier-quality granite when the season kicks off this fall.

On Wednesday, the Cranbrook Curling Club (CCC) packaged up 64 of its rocks — two 42-pound rocks in each box — for shipment to Ontario. When they come back they’ll be good as new.

One comes away from a curling rock tour with the impression that the rocks are surprisingly delicate. They must be stored properly in the off-season — on edge is best, to preserve the running edges (the bottom part of the rock that actually touches the ice). When taken out for the season, they must be cooled down and acclimatized.

As well, being an organic material, the granite of the rocks reacts to its environment. It takes on moisture, and can expand or contract accordingly.

Curling rocks generally are matched by the pair, by weight. So each member of a curling rink will know his or her two rocks will be practically identical, and the curler can count on a degree of consistency with his or her throws.

The rocks at the CCC are more than 30 years old, and time has taken its toll on them. The running edges are worn, and they have become mismatched.

Ergo, the 64 rocks were shipped to a facility in Ontario, where they will get a new lease on life. The central cylinder of granite will be removed from each rock, and new granite inserted. Peter Sweetman, President of the Cranbrook Curling Club, says the rocks should come back at “almost Brier quality.”