INNISFAIL - With a ‘Skating Through the Decades’ theme, members of the Innisfail Skating Club took to the ice last weekend and offered a dazzling two-hour show that showcased skill and heart for both the present and future.
The club’s 59th annual Ice Show was performed on March 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Innisfail Twin Arena; a season-ending celebration to wrap up another year for about 70 young skaters, coaches, board members and many volunteers.
“I think it's a very strong club, with very committed coaches, board of directors and parent volunteers,” said Dixie McLeod, the club’s first-year CanSkate and pre-CanSkate liaison, whose six-year-old daughter Taylor Black skated in the show.
“For me as someone new they just seem super passionate about it and committed to providing a great quality level of coaching to the kids.”
The Ice Show at the Arena on March 10 was held a month after the club’s province-wide Skating With Heart – Star 1 – 3 event, which was the first one of its kind in about 30 years.
“It was a fantastic day with over 150 skaters from around the province and a massive team of volunteers and parents to put it on,” said McLeod, adding local skaters had “excellent” performances at the event. “The day went off without a hitch. Both sides of the Arena were full of skaters from nine in the morning until seven at night.
“It was definitely an event that was well attended and went well, and it was also a large fundraiser for the club."
As for the Ice Show on March 10, McLeod said the Town of Innisfail approved a $1,000 Community Grant which helped the club cover the costs of ice rental and costumes.
Most importantly for the public, the grant enabled the club to offer admission by donation instead of charging $20 per adult guest.
This year’s Ice Show was strictly a local affair unlike last year when it included Calgary-based guest skaters, including the Solstice Synchro Team.
“It's everyone in the club, all the way up to the higher stars. Nobody from outside. All internal,” said McLeod.
There were 28 scheduled local performances; broken in two acts with young skaters, whose ages ranged from three to 18, and honouring the theme of the show with choices of music from several past decades.
The Ice Show performances included solos and duets. It also featured performances from Pre-Star and Star groups, as well as from young CanSkate members.
“We are just happy that kids and families are involved in activities in the community,” said McLeod. “This is a great event to showcase their skills at the end of the year.”
