Skate Brandon mapping out plans for next season
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/06/2023 (976 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Skate Brandon’s 2023-24 schedule is up in the air at the moment.
While the majority of its skating sessions are done at the Keystone Centre, the closure of the Sportsplex rink means that the club is currently vying with everyone else that is searching for extra ice time at either the Flynn or Kinsmen Arenas.
“The process of booking ice is always a bit of a challenge,” said Dana Folkerts, who just completed a two-year term as Skate Brandon’s president. “There is a calendar that is available online, but we’ve found that it isn’t always current.
The Wheat City ConnXion synchronized figure skating team performs during Skate Brandon’s 2019 Spring Ice Show at the Kinsmen Arena. Skate Brandon is hoping to have all of its skating sessions at the Keystone Centre this winter following the closure of the Sportsplex rink. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
“We usually email our contact at the Keystone Centre and say, ‘Okay, these are the dates and times that we think are free,’ and there’s a lot of back and forth after that to get everything sorted out.
“Honestly, it can be a bit of a nightmare at times. There are new people stepping into that role this year and I’m thankful for that, as it can get pretty stressful.”
When the Sportsplex was closed at the start of March, Skate Brandon was winding down their season.
However, their spring skates were affected, which meant a move to the Keystone Centre for April and May.
During the spring, Skate Brandon runs the CanSkate program for new skaters, the CanPower program for hockey and ringette players who want to improve their skating, and the StarSkate program for the skaters that take part in competitions around the province.
“We had to scramble to get times for those sessions, but we were pretty thankful that the Keystone was able to book most of the ice that we lost,” Folkerts said.
“We’re in the same boat again at the moment, but there are lots of groups that are vying for that ice with the Sportsplex not running. The biggest challenge right now is knowing what we are going to have as we try to run all of our programs.”
Folkerts will be in more of an advisory role this year as her two-year term as president has come to an end.
She’ll still be on the board, but a replacement has yet to be determined.
“My kids are getting older and more active in sports so it was time to take a bit of a step back,” Folkerts said.
“We have a fairly large board though and a lot of new parents that have joined over the past year. It’s great to see some different faces getting involved, especially as we fill those bigger roles on the board.”
Skate Brandon is opening registration for the 2023-24 season in the coming weeks.
More information can be found on the club’s website and Facebook page.
» lpunkari@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @lpunkari