Jan. 7, 2015 4:36 p.m.
If you grew up anywhere in the southern hemisphere, chances are there were no local ice rinks or arenas for you to learn to skate on.
For example, in the South American country of Colombia, the capital city of Bogota boasts only two indoor ice rinks for its population of over seven million people and costs associated with using it are often high.
Upon their arrival to Canada many immigrants, refugees, and newcomers have often never seen an ice rink in person and often they have never experienced a winter or seen snow.
Lopez recalled her first time on the ice as a frightening experience, stating that she was intimidated and scared to hurt herself on the hard and unforgiving ice surface.
Thus, the 'Learn to Skate' program was born, and has since grown to include over 60 youth every year. "It went so well and the kids loved it so much that we have kept it going every holiday break for the last few years," said Pinno.
The program is offered free of charge to immigrant youth thanks to support from the City, and all equipment is provided for them including helmets and skates.
In addition to learning to skate, youth also had the chance to try their hand at hockey during the three days of the program which began on Dec. 29th at the G.H. Dawe Centre, then moved the next day to Bower Ponds and finished with a hockey tutorial from members of the Red Deer Pond Hockey Association at the outdoor rink in Oriole Park.
Other instructors for Learn to Skate included ESL teacher from C.A.R.E. and former CanSkate instructor Carol Smyth, Patti Somer from the Red Deer Skating Club and numerous others, including C.A.R.E. volunteer Darren Thompson.
Thompson explained he began working with C.A.R.E. in the fall after looking into ways that he could volunteer in the community.
Thompson explained there is usually a lot of nervousness at first and the hardest part of instructing is to help people find their balance on skates, and that while it may be a struggle at times – the joy on their faces when they finally skate on their own is well worth the many falls.