The Sundre Skating Club has seen some growth compared to last year.
“We’ve got a very large group this year of the pre-learn and learn-to-skate program,” said club president Lamar Tobin, adding there are about 40 children registered.
Meanwhile, there are about another 10 skaters involved in the Pre-Star and STAR — skills, tests, achievement, recognition — Skate programs, representing an overall total of about 50, she said last week, adding the club was still getting some late registrations.
“We’ll take kids from three and up so long as they’re potty trained,” she said.
This year’s registrants in all of the club's programs are up from last season’s total of roughly 40. And that figure could potentially continue to grow as well since the club welcomes newcomers throughout the year, she said.
“We never want to turn anybody down,” she said, adding that so long as the coach feels comfortable with the load, the club will continue to accept late registrations.
Anyone who is so inclined can contact Tobin at 403-638-1982, or alternatively submit inquiries through the Sundre Skating Club’s social media page.
The club practises twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays, she said.
“We started in the middle of October just after Thanksgiving. We had the first ice time for the arena.”
The pre-learn and learn-to-skate kids hit the ice on Monday evenings with some additional tutelage from the STAR Skaters, who also get a chance to train afterwards. On Wednesday evenings, the Pre-Star and STAR Skaters further hone their abilities, she said.
This year, Lyndsay Stange has largely assumed the role of head coach. Although she has been offering her expertise to mentor young skaters for quite a few years, her mom Brenda was previously the head coach, but she has decided to retire from instructing, said Tobin.
Meanwhile, the club has recently been working on its annual fundraiser with Springbank Cheese, she said.
“We’ve been doing it about five years now.”
Although the organizers do not have a specific goal or target amount in mind, the fundraiser last year raised more than $10,000, and they are hoping for at least as much this time around, she said.
“The girls work really hard.”
People who are interested in supporting the fundraiser can contact Tobin or any other member of the skate club, as all of the kids have forms, she said.
Although still early in the season, the club is already anticipating the annual year-end wrap-up ice carnival in March, when the skaters get an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a themed show for family and friends. The event also includes a raffle fundraiser featuring items donated by local businesses, with proceeds supporting the organization, she said, calling last year’s event “a huge success.”
The year-end carnival also features an awards ceremony and ribbon presentations for all of the skaters who throughout the season successfully passed tests and progressed, she said.
“We encourage the public to come watch!”
