September 19, 2021

RE: Proof of Vaccine

Dear Skating Families,

As most of you already will know, the provincial government has announced that beginning September 22, there are new requirements for individuals entering indoor recreation facilities.

Therefore, in order for the Skating Club to protect its members, coaches and staff, as well as comply with government protocols, as of September 22, 2021, all spectators, community members of the Athletic Centre (AC) and skaters (who are 18 years or older) will need to provide proof of full vaccination along with identification to access any program or service operated by KWSC at any location. There are a few exemptions:

• Children under 12 years of age
• Skaters under 18 years of age who are actively participating in a KWSC program
• Individuals with a medical exemption and a written document form a physician or registered nurse extended class or nurse practitioner

All other public health measures (i.e. masking, physical distancing, health screening, etc.) continue to apply to all. This proof of vaccination can be provided either electronically or with a paper copy. The Athletic Centre Membership Services Staff in the AC office will now be asking for ID and proof of vaccination. KWSC has also implemented a Vaccine policy for staff, volunteers, coaches and fitness instructors.

The following new process will be implemented on September 22 at Manulife Sportsplex (formerly RIM Park)

Skaters

Skaters (under 18) arrive at Manulife Sportsplex a maximum of 15 minutes before their session. Enter through the AC doors (regardless of which rink they will skate in), they should proceed to the rink where they will be skating.

Coaches and/or fitness instructors will continue to take attendance and do a health screening with skaters.

Skaters 18 years of age or older, should proceed to the Athletic Centre Membership Desk to provide their identification and proof of vaccination. Then proceed to the rink.

Spectators

KWSC is allowing one spectator per skater (in order to ensure capacity limits set by the cities are met). Spectators should complete their health screening online before entering the building. The link is here or can be found on the main page of KWSC.org. It is an orange button.

Spectators (of any age) should proceed to the Athletic Centre Membership Desk to provide their identification and proof of vaccination. Then proceed to the rink.

The City of Waterloo is allowing 15 minutes to leave the building after your session. We are recommending that during more heavily populated sessions such as CanSkate, skaters leave the building in their skate guards to save time exiting the rink. We are still awaiting further instructions for City of Kitchener rinks and other rinks in Waterloo (outside of Manulife Sportsplex).

Thank-you for continuing to work with us to provide a safe and positive place for youth and adults to learn to skate and develop their skills.

Debra Brown
Executive Director
Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club

For regular updates, please go to our website (www.kwsc.org) and on Facebook
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at kwsc@kwsc.org
For more information about COVID-19, please consult the following trusted resources:

Region of Waterloo Public Health - https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/2019novel-coronavirus.aspx
Ontario Ministry of Health- https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-health
Public Health Agency of Canada - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html
Skate Ontario - https://skateontario.org/
Skate Canada- https://skatecanada.ca/

August 16, 2021

Local Skating Club recognized for Excellence

KW Skating Club achieves CanSkate Excellence provincial designation for Learn to Skate programming

Learn to Skate with Nationally Accredited Skating Club Curriculum

Kitchener and Waterloo — August 16, 2021 —  Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club is pleased to announce it has been recognized by Skate Ontario as exceeding the requirements to be deemed a Skating Club that offers excellence in the delivery of the CanSkate program.  Approximately 30% of Skating Clubs (sanctioned by Skate Ontario) have achieved this quality standard. The CanSkate program teaches youth (and adults) to skate. We hope this is the beginning of a life- long love of ice sports. Many children go on to play hockey, ringette, figure skate, etc. Indeed KWSC has been the home skating club for several Olympic figure skaters.  But it all starts with learning to skate. KWSC’s national body, Skate Canada is recognized as having the best grassroots program in the country. CanSkate, Canada’s flagship learn-to-skate program, emphasizes teaching quality fundamental movements and basic skills.

“KWSC has always offered quality programming, however this designation is a celebration that Skate Ontario, our provincial sports organizations, recognize that our programs are the highest quality.” Says Debra Brown, the Club’s Executive Director.  KWSC has taught approximately 2000 individuals to skate over the past two years alone. KWSC typically operates over 60 programs across 7 locations in KW.  There are many CanSkate programs to choose from allowing for different skill levels, ages and locations.  The CanSkate program is a nationally developed and tested curriculum which is taught by professionally trained Coaches. The CanSkate program was created by Mrs. Carolyn Fedy who has been a part of KWSC since the 1960’s.  She is known as the “Mother of CanSkate in Canada”.

What Parent’s say about the program:

 “My daughter's skating abilities have come a long way in a short time over the past couple years.  She always works very hard, and her success also has much to do with the outstanding instructors at CanSkate who make it a positive learning process.  It's great exercise and plenty of fun, something she looks forward to every weekend.  Another thing worth mentioning, is how well CanSkate has handled everything during this pandemic, and it's comforting to know my child will be in a safe environment again this Fall.”

Randy Keighan

My daughter began lessons in the CanSkate program at the KWSC in January 2020.  We are extremely pleased at the level of attention and encouragement she received and continues to receive from her coaches on the ice.  The fundamentals that are taught in the CanSkate programs create a solid base for all skaters whether they continue in figure skating or hockey and we are excited to see our daughter continue to flourish with the programs offered through KWSC. 

Kimberly Crackel

Founded in 1938, the Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club is the largest skating club in Ontario. We offer a wide range of skating programs including Pre CanSkate, figure skating, synchronized skating and power skating. T

For more information, press only:

Debra Brown, Executive Director, KWSC

226-505-9120

dbrown@kwsc.org

For more information on KWSC:
www.kwsc.org

For more information on CanSkate Excellence Recognition Program: 
https://skateontario.org/canskate-excellence-award-program/

July 14, 2021

Dear Skating Families,

I am pleased to announce that we are re-opening on Tuesday July 20!

We will have open sessions for figure skating and power skating starting on July 20.  As  well, this summer we’ll offer Learn to Skate and Power Skating programs and a full summer school for our figure skaters in August.  The Athletic Centre will be open to members and skaters on July 20.

KWSC office staff, AC staff and coaches are working hard to get our doors open with all the COVID-19 protocols in place for safety.

What’s changed?

Only 2 metres physical distancing required in the Athletic Centre (AC). It was 3 metres the last time we were open. 

No need to pre-book a space in the Athletic Centre (AC). 

In August, fitness classes for skaters will take place in the AC.

The Carolyn Fedy Skating Centre is under construction, so all skating will take place in the Optimist rink (with a few skaters using Pillars in August). 

What’s the same?

Complete your digital health screening (all staff, coaches and parents).  AC members and skaters will have their screening done in person.

Wear your mask indoors unless you’re exercising. 

Enter and exit through the AC

The KWSC Office remains closed for now. We will re-open for office hours soon, but our priority is to get skaters on the ice ASAP.

Coaches and AC staff take attendance.

Only 1 parent/guardian is allowed, and only if the skater is 17 or younger. 

Both City of Waterloo and KWSC staff will disinfect and we ask all those who enter the building to sanitize. 

Athletic Centre is open to skaters for warm-ups and cool downs.

Fedy rink dressing rooms remain closed.

Thank-you for sticking by us through these unpredictable and challenging months.  We will continue to put the health and well-being of our members and coaches first.  We look forward to welcoming you back!

Debra Brown
Executive Director
Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club

For regular updates, please go to our website (www.kwsc.org) and on Facebook

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at kwsc@kwsc.org

For more information about COVID-19, please consult the following trusted resources:

Region of Waterloo Public Health - https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/2019-novel-coronavirus.aspx

Ontario Ministry of Health- https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-health

Public Health Agency of Canada - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html

Skate Ontario - https://skateontario.org/

Skate Canada- https://skatecanada.ca/

July 12, 2021

Dear Skating Families,

Thank-you for your patience as the Skating Club works with the cities and Skate Ontario to navigate moving into phase three. With the information we have received last week we are planning and preparing to launch summer programming. We will be reaching out to members this week with more details regarding registration.

We are planning to run some power skating and Learn to Skate programs over the course of August. Again, we will email members once we have confirmed plan and registration available.

Thank you for your continued patience and we are excited to see everyone at the rink in the near future.

Debra Brown
Executive Director
Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club

For more information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, please consult the following trusted resources:

Region of Waterloo Public Health - https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/2019- novel-coronavirus.aspx

Ontario Ministry of Health - https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-health

Public Health Agency of Canada - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html 

Skate Ontario - https://skateontario.org

Skate Canada - https://skatecanada.ca 

June 22, 2021

Dear Skating Families,

I received notice today that the province of Ontario has amended their day camp regulations. Public Health and the City of Waterloo have further clarified that day camps with indoor sports are not allowed under Step 2 of the Steps to Re-opening Ontario.  We are still awaiting more information from our advisors on how and when the Skating Club can open figure skating, power skating, Learn to Skate and the Athletic Centre.  With the information I have today, it appears that the Athletic Centre and skating rinks will not be open for regular programming until the province enters Step 3 of the plan. However, we are still considering how we can offer some programming earlier in July such as fitness classes (possibly continuing virtual or outdoor in–person). We are continuing to examine the possibilities of offering Power Skating and Learn to Skate programs over the course of the summer.  Our high performance athletes will be invited to return to the Carolyn Fedy Skating Centre as soon as we open our doors for our summer season.

In the meantime, please continue to follow public health guidelines so we can be back together at RIM Park as soon as possible.

Debra Brown
Executive Director
Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club

For regular updates, please go to our website (www.kwsc.org) and on Facebook

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at kwsc@kwsc.org

For more information about COVID-19, please consult the following trusted resources:

Region of Waterloo Public Health - https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/2019-novel-coronavirus.aspx

Ontario Ministry of Health- https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-health

Public Health Agency of Canada - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html

Skate Ontario - https://skateontario.org/

Skate Canada- https://skatecanada.ca/

June 11, 2021

Dear Skating Families,

Thank-you for your patience as the Skating Club works with the cities and Skate Ontario to navigate the province’s new Steps to Reopening Ontario. Admittedly, we are still awaiting more information from our advisors on how and when the Skating Club can open figure skating, power skating, Learn to Skate and the Athletic Centre. With the information I have today, it appears that the Athletic Centre and skating rinks will not be open for regular programming until the province enters Step 3 of the plan. This will be the end of July at the earliest. However, we are currently considering how we can offer some programming earlier in July such as the delivery method of fitness classes (possibly continuing virtual or outdoor in–person) and skating (possibly in the form of day camps), and ice time for our high performance athletes. We are continuing to examine the possibilities of offering power skating and Learn to Skate programs over the course of the summer.

In the meantime, please continue to follow public health guidelines so we can be back together at RIM Park as soon as possible.

Debra Brown
Executive Director
Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club

For more information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, please consult the following trusted resources:

Region of Waterloo Public Health - https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/2019- novel-coronavirus.aspx

Ontario Ministry of Health - https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-health

Public Health Agency of Canada - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html Skate Ontario - https://skateontario.org

Skate Canada - https://skatecanada.ca