By Shane McNeil
The Special Olympics Figure Skating Program has outgrown its home ice surface.
The competitive figure skaters who had been using the ice at McNabb Arena have now been granted permission to use the Olympic-sized ice at the Minto Skating Club, McNabb opened exclusively for their learn-to-skate program..
Head coach Susan Gonsalves says the move will open the door for more skaters at the beginner level of the program.
Participants that begin at the entry level have been moving up to the competitive program in greater numbers every year
The competitive program which had only three participants 10 years ago now has about 20 skaters.
With 30 skaters on the same ice surface things were getting a bit crowded.The problem was compounded by the fact that some of the skaters were practicing for competitions, while others were still learning the fundamentals of skating.
“It’s great because now we can use McNabb as a building program where everyone can learn to skate and when they’re ready they can come to Minto to learn how to be competitive,” says Anne Marie Bergeron, competitive program coach.
Another coach in the program is former world champion and Olympic medalist Don Jackson.
Jackson has been coaching in the program for over a decade in addition to using some of his public appearances to raise money for the Special Olympics of Ontario and Canada. He believes the program and its growth is essential for the kids involved.
“It’s wonderful to see the skaters after they’re off the ice because there’s such a sense of accomplishment and they’re so positive,” Jackson says.
“They clap for one another and support each other in competitions, which is what this is all about.”
Anne Marie Bergeron also says that the athletes have made everyone at Minto see that they belong.
“The attitudes have changed from ‘what are they doing here?’ to ‘of course! Why not?’” Bergeron says.
“Everyone is very impressed with what they’ve achieved and we have great integration with the rest of the club”.
Despite the benefits of the move, co-ordinators say they need more volunteers.
“It (the learn-to-skate program) just adds another dimension to the community’s activities and we hope it involves more people from the community,” says Head Coach Susan Gonsalves.
Bergeron agrees that on-ice help is the most pressing need.
“We’ve had kids come in unable to stand up that have gone on to do very well in competition,” Bergeron says.
“We need some strong people who can skate and will be reliable to help these kids learn to skate and actually pick them up if they fall.”
Volunteers are essential to the program to keep lesson costs down for participants.
“In some places, these kids would have to pay for the ice time and the lesson and that’s something a lot of kids can’t afford,” says Bergeron. “I don’t want to see the Special Olympics go that way and that’s why this program is so important.”
The learn-to-skate program begins Oct. 17 at McNabb Arena.