The Airdrie Skating Club (ASC) will wrap up its season with the annual year-end gala, March 26 at the Plainsmen Arena.
Demonstrations from the club’s spin, spiral and jump, prelim prep, group star and StarSkate programs will be held to celebrate the successful 2010-11 skating season.
“These are events in which the girls can be a little more relaxed because they are not being judged, just enjoyed by spectators,” said Tracy Jaman, administrator with the club.
The last major competition ASC skaters took part in was Feb. 11 in Stettler, with a number of them taking home top-three finishes.
Asha Gumpinger earned first place in pre-preliminary elements and third in the freeskate; Emily Muir earned first in the freeskate and third in pre-preliminary elements; Emily Nolan placed first in pre-preliminary elements; Victoria Pane earned first in introductory freeskate; Jaime Shoemaker placed first in pre-preliminary freeskate; Angela Kerr took second in Jr. bronze freeskate; Emma Dowie took second in prelim freeskate; Alexis Montgomery placed third in Jr. bronze freeskate; Alyssa deCosta earned third in introductory freeskate and Clare Desveaux took third in pre preliminary freeskate.
“The 2010-2011 skating season was again a huge success due in part to our fabulous coaches who put in countless hours to ensure our skating programs met the needs of our young members,” Jaman said. “Our goal is to facilitate an environment in which children learn to love the sport of skating. With the skills developed through our program, children are well equipped to continue on with figure skating, speed skating, hockey and ringette and, most importantly, be able to enjoy a lifetime of recreational skating.”
Jaman says although the ASC has more than 400 skaters registered and is “doing well by the numbers,” the club has not reached its full potential due to the ongoing Airdrie ice shortages. The Ron Ebbesen Arena and the Plainsmen Arena are the only two indoor ice surfaces accommodating the ASC, Airdrie Minor Hockey and Airdrie Ringette.
Plans have yet to be officially approved for a new twin arena as Phase III of Genesis Place
“We had over 150 children on our waiting list this season and it was heartbreaking and frustrating to have to turn these young families away,” Jaman said. “Families either had to resort to driving to other communities like Crossfield or Calgary for lessons this year or they had to break the news to their children that skating is full again. These parents are left hoping to be one of the first families lined up in the enormous public registration line for next year’s sessions.”
The ASC is working to strategize how its portion of community funds for Phase III, about $300,000, will be raised in a very short period of time.
“This is an extremely significant amount of money for our club to raise in two to three years,” Jaman said. “Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that the rink will be built if the funds required from the user groups are not available, putting Phase III at jeopardy. The City of Airdrie has clearly stated that there must be a certain amount of funds in the bank before a commitment to the construction is made.”
