Skating starts next Tuesday December 7th

The Etobicoke Speed Skating Club will be back on the ice in a week’s time. Our season starts on Tuesday December 7^th, 2010 and finishes on Thursday February 24^th, 2011. We continue to skate at Martingrove Rink two nights per week. On Tuesday evenings the ice is ours from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Thursday evenings from 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

I will be at the rink Saturday December 4^th, 2010 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to receive memberships and to hand out rental skates. Those skaters who were fitted last year are advised to be there early, as we cannot guarantee to hold skates after the Club opens. If you are unable to register on December 4^th, please arrive at the rink by 7:00 p.m. on December 7^th, 2010 so that we can all get on the ice at 7:30 p.m.

Membership for the 2010 – 2011 season will be $125.00 for adults and $60.00 for children and youth under 18. Skate rental costs an additional $25.00 for the season.

This year we have secured additional ice time at Sunnydale Acres on Sunday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and at Prince of Wales on Monday from 8:45 to 10:00 p.m. – that gives you 4 1/4 hours of skating per week on a total of 48 days!

P.S. The Sunnydale Acres Rink is already open. Jim Charbonneau will be skating tomorrow between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. and would be happy to have others join him.

Important Dates for Your Calendar

I will send out an email later in November after our planning meeting to all past members and to anyone else who has expressed an interest about the 2010-2011 season. In the meantime, here are some dates to put into your calendar:

• Saturday December 4 1030 – Registration / Try on club skates
  
• Tuesday December 7 – First night of skating
• Thursday February 24 – Last night of skating

Planning for our 2010 - 2011 Season

You wouldn’t know it by the weather but winter is on its way! That means it’s time to plan for Etobicoke speed skating for 2010 – 2011.

Let’s plan on meeting at the Lemongrass Restaurant next Wednesday November 24th at 7:30 p.m. It’s located in the Sun Life Centre at 3300 Bloor Street West, on the northeast corner of Bloor and Islington. There’s free parking in the underground lot which can be accessed from Aberfoyle Crescent.

Topics will include pricing (since our ice costs have been going up 10% for the past few years), renewing our skate fleet, growing our membership base, coaching, road trips to the Lakefield Oval and / or Portland Skate the Lake, etc. Also on the agenda: Should we lead discussions with the city about allowing skating on Grenadier Pond?

David, Jim and Michael have already said that they’ll be coming. Please let me know if you’ll be able to join us. It’s up to you whether you come for dinner, dessert or a drink – or a combination.

Jay