Just one Canadian’s take:
I grew up in a small town in Southern Ontario and my parents, like the rest of the town, curled regularly.
Having been curling a few times as an adult, I realize that for them the sport is part sport, and part excuse to get together and drink all day.
Having said that, it is a fun sport that requires incredible amounts of skill, tons of practice, and funny shoes. The hardest thing for me to get used to was the fact that, unlike most other sports, you use your body completely asymmetrically, so the next morning you might wake up with (for example) your right ass cheek, left thigh, left foot, right shoulder and lower back hurting. Also, it is unlikely that your skills from other sports will do you any good in this one because the skills are highly specialized.
Curling is limited by rink availability: you have probably figured out that it’s not the same as regular ice, you need a special rink just for curling, and since it takes up a lot of space and isn’t a big money-maker, they tend to be inconveniently located in the periphery of the city. Most people would have to make an effort to get there - it’s not like basketball (or even hockey) where you can do it in every neighbourhood. Thus I don’t expect there are many school-based teams, but it would probably be fairly easy for any kid interested in getting good at it to join a club (assuming someone is willing to drive them there).
In Toronto, I know you can curl in various sport and social clubs (like Ultimate Frisbee, beach volleyball, softball, floor hockey, etc). The costs are transportation and whatever fees the club charges to use their ice; funny-looking sweaters are optional but most practical. You will also need (but don’t have to pay for) shoes (you can use packing tape on your sneaker if you don’t feel like investing in your own curling shoes) and a broom (clubs have ones you can use, once you get serious you can buy your own).
Suffice it to say your ice rental includes rocks.
My familiarity with the game comes from the fact that my parents curled when was growing up, and so I picked up the game from them (and from watching televised games with them and asking lots of questions). Some people I know in the city who have never picked up a broom really enjoy watching it, and others have no interest whatsoever.
I wouldn’t be surprised if universities had teams but their games are not televised, to my knowledge. The big events that everyone (that is, everyone who is interested in curling) watches are the national championships, the Tournament of Hearts (women) and the Breir (mens).
You should try it. It’s fun. At least watch the championships, which I think are coming up.
HURRY!!!