As the community grows, so do the enrolment at popular youth programs like our Figure Skating Club.
The Millbrook Figure Skating Club (MFSC) closed out the season with its annual end of year Carnival on the last day of ice availability at the CMCC.
The club continues to grow, boasting 190 members this year. The club attributes the growth to the creation of the Adult Synchro Team and the success and growth of their Star Skate Synchro Team (both of which are actively recruiting new members!) However, the club faces pressures on enrolment, one of which they are hoping to address with a new piece of equipment.
Last month the club approached Council seeking permission to install a lift harness at the CMCC. This equipment assists skaters to improve their positions in their spins and jumps, helping them establish muscle memory and building confidence as the skaters approach spins and jumps on the ice. Club President Krystin Fitzgerald explained the importance of this equipment to the club, saying it attracted advanced skaters who play a critical role coaching the younger skaters. Most large clubs have this equipment, which is a draw for the more advanced skaters. The Millbrook club is concerned they are losing older, more advanced skaters to clubs with this equipment including Peterborough and Durham. MFSC currently has a wait list for the younger groups. There was an older lift model in the old arena operated by a pulley system but this equipment was not deemed suitable for installation at the new facility.
Club President Krystin Fitzgerald explained that the harness will be used by the advanced skaters to help improve their positioning in both their spins and jumps which helps their progression by developing muscle memory and building confidence. The club hopes to have the equipment installed before ice returns to the facility in July. They have funding to install the lift, which will cost $5,000 for a consultation from the equipment provider and another $12,000 to $15,000 to install. The club also agreed to absorb any incremental insurance cost triggered by the lift installation.
The equipment provider selected by the club is Liftsafe Engineering, which offers a variety of harness systems used by professional figure skating coaches around the world to help safely train figure skaters perform lifts and multi-rotational jumps. The firm has been certified as a qualified installer by Skate Canada, and they will also conduct the mandatory annual safety inspections for this equipment.
Council commended the club for their thorough presentation and asked staff to help the club in this project and seek to identify potential grant opportunities that might help offset the expense for the club. Should the project proceed as planned, we can expect more dramatic moves from our skaters in next year’s Figure Skating Carnival.
Congratulations to all skaters, coaches and assistants and club executive members whose efforts deliver for youngsters in the community by developing athletic grace and skill and community spirit.