The Sundre Skating Club's 2017-18 season is off to a good start.
"We've got quite a large amount of skaters," said president Lamar Tobin.
Most of the approximately 50 skaters enrolled this year are in the CanSkate program, but there are also some in the Pre-StarSkate as well as the StarSkate and more advanced figure skating program, she told the Round Up last week, adding a third part-time coach was brought in to help the two regular instructors.
"It's turned out really well."
And it is not too late to register a skater of any skill level.
"Our coaches don't like to turn anybody away," she said.
"When we have an abundance of little guys coming out, the StarSkaters help out as junior coaches."
The club's executive also has a full board with members whose children are longtime skaters with the club, and Tobin expressed confidence the board will remain in good shape for the foreseeable future.
Recently wrapping up its annual cheese fundraiser in partnership with Springbank Cheese ó in which cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey and Parmesan as well as gift baskets featuring varieties of cheeses with jams and teas were sold ó roughly $10,000 was raised, and a portion of those proceeds will support the club's activities, she said.
As the holidays approach, the club also plans to again host its annual Can Skate Christmas Party at the Sundre Arena on Monday, Dec. 18 starting at about 5:30 p.m., when Santa Claus will spend some time on the ice with the kids, handing out some goody bags along the way. That event provides an opportunity for the skaters to enjoy a fun free skating session before the end of the year, she said.
Also, preparations for the club's annual Strut Your Stuff ice carnival, which will take place mid-March depending on when the Sundre Minor Hockey Association's season wraps up, are already underway, she said.
"This year's theme is ëcircus'," she said, adding the skaters would be wearing costumes and that each group performs a routine.
"The kids are already learning what they're going to be doing for the carnival."
Making available a local skating club is important for a small community such as Sundre, she said, adding some people would in the absence of such a program find themselves forced to go somewhere else.
"It makes a big difference for parents," she said.
"I don't want to drive two nights a week in the middle of winter to Olds to get my daughter skating!"
Additionally, the club offers people a chance to interact with the community and make friends along the way, she said.
