When we first heard about Canada 150 -Skating Day in Canada, we knew that we had to apply. As the season went on, we started thinking and planning as to what we would do if we won the Canada 150 micro grant given to host this party.
We were planning to work together to make a great party for our community, and share our love for skating. Unfortunately, the awful tragedy happened at the arena. Everyone was shocked and devastated that something so terrible could happen where, at times, the core of our community gathers.
The Fernie Skating Club was saddened that we would not see our friends again, whom we saw almost every day. We certainly agreed that they were our heroes.
Our club took some time off to settle down and come to grips with what had happened. Eventually, we came to the conclusion that we had to get our skaters back on the ice. It was where they were a team, and where they did something that they loved together.
We are very lucky to have clubs who have let us join their ice times. The Sparwood, Elkford and Crowsnest Pass skating clubs have welcomed us with open arms. We are so grateful to be back on the ice together.
Our season has continued, not the same season, but a different one. We are lucky.
Shortly after this we got an email from the Canada 150 committee, offering their condolences on our community tragedy and wanted to know if we still wanted to keep our application in to receive the grant to host a Canada 150 Skating Party.
Our president, Rusan Polacik’s response was perfect:
“Now, more than ever, I think it is important to do a skating event for the people and families in our community. Our hope is that it will foster a sense of community, hope, and connectedness even if we need to hold it in a rink in a neighbouring community. This would be a great way to celebrate all that the neighbouring communities have done to keep a lot of our programs running.”
So yes we kept our application in.
A few days later we were informed that we were one of the communities chosen to receive a microgrant to host “The Coolest Skating Party” in Canada. So that’s what the Fernie Skating Club intends to do.