Local community groups had until October 18 to submit requests for financial support from the Town in 2017 for their projects and initiatives. Those requests were presented to General Committee on October 26 with councillors to debate their inclusion in the 2017 draft budget at their next meeting on November 30.
Just two requests were presented: one from Big Brothers Big Sisters for a $500 contribution to the group’s annual Christmas party for their matches and wait-list families; and one from the Huntsville Skating Club to reduce their ice rental fees by $5,000 – about 10 per cent – so that they can reduce registration fees for CanSkate participants.
CanSkate is a learn-to-skate program for beginners of all ages that focuses on developing skills using Sport Canada’s long-term athlete development (LTAD) principles. It aims to foster “physical literacy and the fundamental skills needed to take part in any ice sport or to skate as a recreational activity.”
Just four years ago, the program had about 150 registered skaters; that number has now dropped below 70 but the program still needs the same amount of ice time no matter how many skaters there are. Robin Brushey, a member of the club’s board of directors, explained to councillors that the club has worked to make registration more affordable by reducing the number of biweekly sessions, offering a half-season option, and partnering with the Huntsville Sting to create a power skating program that offsets ice costs. But it’s not enough.
We want to lower fees to make skating more affordable for kids in Huntsville to learn to skate. The more kids we can get in, the better our hockey players will play, we’ll have more recreational skaters and skaters for life (to support) sport tourism and support healthy living, we’ll have more figure skaters, and we’ll have more people staying active and having fun on the ice.
Robin Brushey, Huntsville Skating Club board member
Brushey said that the goal of decreasing ice costs and therefore registration costs is to increase enrollment so that the club doesn’t have to approach the town for similar help in future.
Huntsville Skating Club recently hosted its 30th annual Skokie Skate, a figure-skating competition that attracted 300 skaters from across Ontario. The event is a fundraiser for the club and one that is well-received by the competitors and judges, said Brushey.
Brushey also asked councillors to consider allowing the club to promote its services next season in the Don Lough Arena, and said she’d be interested in discussing options with them next year.
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