The Grand River Skating Council oversees 9 member clubs in this area.  They are:  Ayr Figure Skating Club, Cambridge Skating Club, Elmira Figure Skating Club, Guelph Figure Skating Club, Hespeler Skating Club, KW Skating Club, New Hamburg Skating Club, Preston Figure Skating Club and Wellesley Skating Club.  The Grand River Skating Council reports to Western Ontario Section and Skate Canada.  Being a part of the Grand River Skating Council gives each skating club a voice at Council and offers a chance to network with the clubs in this region.  This opportunity is vital to every club as each member can offer advice and suggestions.  As long as the club rep is present for most Grand River meetings, a $100 grant is made available yearly to each club for administrative/skating related expenses.

Being a part of the Council also gives each club the opportunity to send volunteers to 2 competitions the Region must host each year.  Profits made from the competitions are given back to each club who participates on a proportion basis.  Some monies are kept by the Region for operating expenses.  The benefits of sending volunteers to competitions run by the Region?  The networking opportunities between other club volunteers, Section members and coaches is priceless.  Watching great figure skating and helping out coaches and skaters is another benefit.  And what value can be placed on rubbing shoulders or talking to skating greats like Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe, Josee Chouinard, and Brian Orser to name but a few.

During the 2007/2008 skating season, Grand River hosted Summer Sizzle 2007 held at RIM Park, the Trillium Competition held at RIM Park and Spring Fling held at the Hespeler Arena.  The Cambridge Skating Club is asked to provide dressing room helpers and ice captains for one rink.  We were able to fulfill our commitment.  We have also been able, at times, to provide extra volunteers such as runners and security people.

Grand River is again responsible for Summer Sizzle 2008 which will be held at RIM Park on August 8 to 10, 2008.  We will again be asked to supply volunteers for the dressing room and ice captain for one rink.  We will be calling on all parents and skaters to ask for 3 hours of their time during one of those days.  Many hands make the work much lighter.  Our task is not stressful or great but the benefits reaped are tremendous.

For more information on becoming a member of the Grand River Skating Council, please contact the Chair, Stewart Allan at stuallan@sympatico.ca .