Clavet Skating Club

History of the Clavet Skating Club

In January, 1990, construction of the Clavet Community Arena was completed to the point where ice could be put in. An invitation had been sent to the community from the Rink Board to start a skating club. In February, 1990, our club was formed. Efforts continued by the membership to organize our club, hence application was made to affiliate with SkateCanada (formerly Canadian Figure Skating Association).

All original members of our club were at the CanSkate level. We did not have a coach, nor could we afford one, so the help of volunteers was necessary. Clem Fortin and Leslie Schmidt became our first skating coaches and teachers. In our second year of operation, actually the first full season, Marion Johnstone volunteered to help instruct and replace Leslie. Our growing numbers and interest in our sport made very good use of our volunteer instructors. During the 1991-92 season, our skating skill levels continued to improve and the level of instruction needed responded to the need. Irene Redden, an amateur skater from the Dundurn Army Camp came to help with the instruction. At that point, our club offered the CanFigureSkate (now called Juniors) program for the first time.

Our club was granted a "probationary status" with SkateCanada on January 29, 1991. Thanks to the Allan Skating Club who sponsored us in our application, and filling our many forms, developing our club constitution, and jumping through a few other hoops, our club was granted "permanent status as a affiliated club" with SkateCanada. As an affiliated member, we now had rules, more rules, insurance, and organization.

Our club developed an identity and pride which was already the energy of many. Numerous members contributed items - example: John Spencer (parent) designed our club logo which we still enjoy today. Our first ice shows and competitions generated relatively equal excitement as we see now.

In the fall of 1992, our club had a verbal agreement with a professional coach. Clem Fortin had been in charge of signing the contract with her for the 1992-93 season. Literally, minutes before he was to meet her to sign the contract she called to opt out (for medical reasons). Following a mad or desperate scramble, our club was lucky and proud to hire our first professional coaches, Blaise and Yvette Kirchgesner. Since October, 1992, they have remained dedicated to our skaters and our club, guiding our skaters through lessons, tests, competitions, and spectacular ice shows.

Due to the dedication of our volunteers, our club has been proud to host the following competitions:
January 1994 - Clavet Invitational Penta-Skate Competition
February 1998 - Blackstrap Region #10 Interclub Competition
February 2003 - Blackstrap Region #10 StarSkate and CanSkate Competitions
February 2004 - Blackstrap Region #10 StarSkate and CanSkate Competitions

In the 2001 season, the Clavet Skating Club was one of the skating clubs selected for an evaluation/assessment through the SkateCanada Club Consultation process. As a result, we were awarded a certificate "IN RECOGNITION OF OUR ACHIEVEMENT OF EXCELLENCE IN SKATING PROGRAM DELIVERY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE (2001-2002)."

Through initiative, creativity, and plain old hard work, our club has worked to provide a more skater friendly environment. Some upgrades that our club has done to benefit our skaters are as follows: video camera and television, jumping harness, improved speaker system, lockers, accessibility of music from ice surface, extra dressing room for carnival, storage closets and rooms for dresses, equipment, etc. Much of the labour has been donated by our parent volunteers who have graciously volunteered their skills.