At the instigation of Mr. H.H. Ward, the Curling Association of Ottawa was formed for the 1940-1941 season.  Its function was generally to co-operate with the Canadian Branch of the Royal Caledonia Curling Club ("The Branch") in the operation of its annual events, and to control and operate several inter-club competitions.  Included among the latter were the original City Bonspiel (competing for the Birks Trophy), and the Central Canada Bonspiel involving the James Manuel and N.F. Wilson Trophies.

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In 1956, the City of Ottawa Invitational Bonspiel was inaugurated, superseding the former Central Canada Bonspiel.

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On October 1, 1959, the Ottawa Valley Curling Association (OVCA) came into being, succeeding the Curling Association of Ottawa.  The first President of the OVCA was C.A.L. Murchison of the Granite Curling Club.

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As a result of a tripartite agreement entered into in 1962-1963, the OVCA began functioning as the coordinating body for the OVCA, the Ontario Curling Association (the “OCA”) and the Canadian Branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club (this version of the Branch became Curling Quebec).  This function related to clubs in the City of Ottawa and the surrounding Ottawa-St. Lawrence Valley areas.  The OVCA continued in this role until 2001, at which point the OCA withdrew from the agreement and a new arrangement was struck between the OVCA and the Branch.  As a result, the OVCA coordinated Branch events in the OVCA area, collecting membership fees, receiving entries, managing entry fees, and remitting moneys to the Branch.

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The OVCA no longer performs this service for the Branch, but continues to encourage its members to get involved in Branch activities.

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In 1967, the decision was made to explore incorporation of the OVCA. A committee was struck, and after many meetings and much discussion an application for incorporation was forwarded to the Provincial Secretary.  Letters of patent were granted on July 29, 1968.