Old records hung from the ceiling and neon lights filled the Sparwood arena’s entrance, setting the mood for the Sparwood Skating Club’s annual end of the year ice show. This past weekend, 51 skaters took to the ice in sparkles, pink hair and letter jackets, twirling to classic show tunes from the popular musical, Grease. The groovy rendition of the toe tapping musical was led by head coach Melanie Barker, with support from assistant coach Cora Campbell. The entire spectacle lasted two hours, boisterously showcasing and celebrating how far the figure skaters have come throughout the season.
“The skaters have been preparing these dances for about three or four months. They work on this event throughout the season, but focus more heavily on it either after their competitions or in between them, depending on when those line up throughout the season,” said Kayla Stanley, past president of the club.
The show began with an ensemble routine featuring senior, junior, and primary skaters sharing the ice in an exciting performance to Grease is the Word. Afterwards, Pre-Can, Canskate Blue and Canskate Green skaters twirled around the arena in felted helmets, the youngest alongside the club’s older skaters who led them in various heartwarming dances.
The regional championship skaters from the Elkford Figure Skating Club also graced the audience with their well rehearsed performances, skating over painted records that decorated the ice. Sparwood’s regional skaters wrapped up the first act with their lively dance to Bananas by Gwen Stefani, shaking red and white pompoms and exploding with infectious energy.
Regional team skaters Alexandra Harrington, Haylea MacPherson and Mackenzie Mayea each had solos scattered throughout the show. The showstopping ladies will be representing the BC/YK Kootenay Region at the Super Series StarSkate finals this upcoming month.
Harrington, a graduating skater, performed her graceful solos to Hopelessly Devoted and You’re the One That I Want. The club later honoured her with flowers and hugs to celebrate the culmination of her fourteenth year with the Sparwood Skating Club. The soon-to-be alumni began skating at the age of three, competed in Gold Level Dances and Gold Level Skills this past year, and also worked as a program assistant for the club’s CanSkate program.
Among other performances this weekend were spectacular numbers by senior soloists Emma Harrington, Carmyn Forsyth, Madison Stanley, and Lela Krotz. Also showcased were riveting ensemble performances by primary skaters, junior skaters, and senior skaters dressed in poodle skirts and shimmering Pink Ladies jackets. To add to the fun was a crowd favourite, the parent routine, where 10 supportive parents took to the ice to show off their talents.
The event culminated with an energetic number to the infamous song, We Go Together, wrapping up both a fantastic display of figure skating, as well as celebrating a successful season for the entire club.
It is through events such as the end of the year show, as well as fun skates and the Bring a Friend day, that the Sparwood Skating Club hopes to encourage registration for upcoming seasons.
“Events like these are important because they promote the club while demonstrating to young, up and coming skaters that one day, they can participate in shows like this too. That they can look forward to being part of a nonprofit organization where they can display their talents,” said Aeron Hayward, interim president of the Sparwood Skating Club.
reporter@thefreepress.ca
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