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And there have been a number of curious curling fans who at least take long looks at the displays, especially kids.
Of course, to host a major curling event anywhere without the pin men would be like curlers playing without brooms.
Although many think these collectors are weirdoes, Degane said they do not get a lot of strange looks.
“Not at all,” he said. “A lot of people find it an amazing hobby but don’t know how to get started.
It’s good to get the young generation involved because it’s not all that expensive and it’s such a sociable hobby. I’ve made friends with collectors from Scotland to Ontario.
Degagne , who once collected pins from all different kinds of sports, decided to stick with curling pins back at the 2000 Brier in Saskatoon.
“I started with 46 pins and I’ve accumulated 2,600,” said Degagne. “Most pin collectors are former curlers - I used to curl four nights a week. Curling is more of a social sport and this is my way of staying in it.”
Degagne used to own a construction company and now works as a manufacturer’s rep (windows and doors). He travels to every Brier, Scott Tournament of Hearts and Olympic trials events. And he will go to world championships if they are held nearby, such as Bismarck, N.D., last year.
“I spend no more than $5,000 a year on it” he said. “And that includes the price of tickets. But I don’t drink and I don’t smoke and I really enjoy the events.”
Each host committee gives the collectors free space at the arenas to set up their tables, he added.
Although he will purchase collections, Degagne prefers not to sell his pins. His most valuable one is a 1954 Brier pin that “I would not part with for less than $250.”
The most expensive pins available are the 1927 Gold Heart Brier pins. There were apparently only 12 made and only eight available. The Halifax Curling Club, which has four of them once spurned an offer of $50,000 for the quartet.
Keith Forbes, who has also set up a display at the Arena, boasts Manitoba’s largest collection with about 16,000 pins.
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