The Char-Lan Skating Club began its 2020-21 season a few weeks ago and hasn’t looked back, as the young skaters continue to develop their skills in weekly sessions on the Williamstown ice.
Check out this glide from one the club’s StarSkaters.
Operating since 1974, the CLSC this year is offering a learn-to-skate program for teens and adults who have never picked up the activity or need to learn and refine the basics. This is in addition to the club’s full youth program from developmental instruction through to performance figure skating.
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed their season, members of the Char-Lan Skating Club returned to the ice, skating at Cornwall’s multi-sport complex.
The StarSkaters group, following health protocols, including physical distancing, worked out for their first session since mid-March.
Members of the Char-Lan Skating Club return to the ice, skating at Cornwall’s multi-sport complex. (submitted photo)
The club is aiming to see its regular program back in Williamstown, starting September 21, at the Char-Lan Rec. Centre.
In a normal season, the Char-Lan Skating Club’s winter on the ice at Williamstown’s arena would culminate with a showcase of performance and on-ice awards presented to the top skaters.
But this is not a normal year.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tail end of the club’s season was scrapped, along with the showcase.
With no prospect of being able to get the group together anytime soon in light of ongoing restrictions, the club remotely announced its award winners for the 2019-20 season.
By way of a video, the club bid adieu to the 2020 graduating class.
And finally, the Char-Lan Skating Club recognized two of its young program assistants. These skaters are club members who assist the coaches in training of other skaters throughout the winter.
With South Glengarry announcing the closure of all recreation facilities for the next three weeks due to COVID-19 concerns, the Char-Lan Skating Club was forced to abruptly end its season, with means the cancellation of this year’s showcase event, which had been scheduled for March 29, at the arena in Williamstown.
Reportedly, the ice-making machine at the rink will be turned off this weekend.
The club has cancelled, as a result, all remaining skating days, in addition to the annual showcase, which skaters had been preparing for under the theme, ‘Ice, Camera, Action.’ The event is traditionally held at the end of each skating season, with stands packed full of family members and friends, as all athletes from the club skate in group performances.
Here’s the club’s official announcement:
Char-Lan Skating Club announcement regarding COVID-19
The skating club says it plans to hold a small awards ceremony at a later date. In years past, awards have been presented to skaters on the ice, following the performances.
Assessment Day
Recently, the skating club held its assessment day for competitive skaters.
Char-Lan Skating Club photo
From the club’s Facebook post: “A huge shout out to the Township of South Glengarry for all their hard work and support in preparing our facility and ice surface for this special day, and to our Assessment Coordinator and wonderful CLSC families for organizing a fun-filled after-party for all.”
Glengarry’s edition of the Great Canadian Kilt Skate is scheduled for Sunday, March 1, at the Char-Lan Rec. Centre, beginning at noon.
As South Glengarry’s announcement notes, “Help us celebrate our Scottish Heritage in Ontario’s Celtic Heartland at the Char-Lan Community Centre.” The event is free to attend, running from 12 through 3 p.m. at the arena in Williamstown.
There will be an official opening ceremony featuring township politicians and the South Glengarry Pipe Band. This will be followed by a performance from members of the Char-Lan Skating Club. Then the arena ice surface will be opened for participants on the Great Canadian Kilt Skate, through to 2 p.m.
From 12:30 through 2 p.m., the canteen will serve up free hot chocolate and Scottish flag tattoos will be available in the lobby.
In the Tartan Hall (upstairs), a cash bar will be open. There will be a Great Canadian Kilt Skate cake and Scottish shortbread cookies. Scheduled performances on the stage include the MacCulloch Dancers, McFee Fiddlers, Coleman Highland Dancers, and the Hallions.
Outside, planned activities include a fire pit with marshmallows, a snow slide, and horse-drawn wagon rides.
Among the successes turned in by members of the Char-Lan Skating Club at the Elizabeth Manley Winter Classic was a STAR 3 Girls Silver award for Alessia MacDonald. She capped off her competitive season with a “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” performance.
Oliver Phypers, of the Char-Lan Skating Club, won a gold award in his first-ever competition, at the at the Elizabeth Manley Winter Classic in the STAR 1 Boys event.
Athletes from the Char-Lan Skating Club recently achieved successful performances at the STAR 1-4 Series Winter Wonderland in Rockland.
Anthony MacDonald GOLD STAR 4 Boys Singles U13 and Fiona Laplante GOLD STAR 4 Girls Singles U13. (Char-Lan Skating Club photos)Alessia MacDonald SILVER STAR 3 Girls Singles and Evie Cockings BRONZE STAR 3 Girls Singles and SILVER STAR 3 Girls Elements. (Char-Lan Skating Club photos)Katrina Vivaraies SILVER STAR 2 Girls Singles, Charlotte Phypers SILVER STAR 2 Girls Singles, and Jessica Lopez BRONZE STAR 2 Girls Singles. (Char-Lan Skating Club photos)
