Counting down to the Tricenturena skating carnival

From left, Waterford Tricenturena Skating Club skaters Lydia Land, Lily Tompkins, Ada Barry, and Liliana Garrett. 

Brenda Moser

Advocate Contributor

I remember - back in the day - bundling up kids, loading them into the van and heading over to the local arena for weekly skating lessons.

I admit that I am not a skater and in fact, I admit that I literally can’t stand up on them, so they were registered with the Waterford Tricenturena Skating Club and the rest was left to the experts.

Their lessons there helped them immensely. The basics and skills they needed and developed with their time at WTSC served them well. Not only did they master the art of skating, but they had fun and developed long-time friendships.

That same support continues today as the Waterford Tricenturena Skating Club celebrates its 56th Annual Carnival, Icons on Ice, on Saturday, April 11.

This year’s carnival will feature an afternoon show at 1 p.m. and an evening show at 6 p.m. For more info on the show or obtaining tickets you can email the club at wtsc.info@gmail.com. They expect between 1,200 and1,300 attendees, between the two shows, so be sure to get your tickets – just $10 each - early when they go on sale in April. For more info check their website at www.waterfordtricenturenaskatingclub.com, Facebook page or email them.

Jennifer Bard, co-chair of the skating carnival, says she appreciates all of the help she gets from her co-chairs Shannon Garrett, Amanda Haskett and Maddie Bard, Jennifer’s daughter, a graduate of the club who has taken her skating full circle as a coach.

Jennifer recognizes that such an undertaking as their upcoming Carnival requires many hours and many hands to make light of the work load.

“We have a lot of great volunteers and parents who help to make the day special. I have to give a shout out to them and all of the coaching staff from pre-carnival to rehearsal to show day.

“We also get a lot of support from local individuals and businesses. We couldn’t do this without their support. They always come through for us and we appreciate all of their help as well.” The Tricenturena club goes year-round and registration is held at the end of March for their Spring Session. There are levels and groups for all ages and abilities, including their Learn-to-Skate (CanSkate) and StarSkate programs.

“Our oldest member is 50-plus and we have them as young as two years old in our Me and My Parent Program.”

As a Skate Canada club their programs are inclusive and accessible for all skaters regardless of experience.

“Our program is fully adaptable to a person’s skill level and our coaches work hard with parents – regardless of their child’s abilities – to help them thrive in the program. We encourage them to approach the coaches with any questions they might have.”