Skate Saskatoon

We are very happy to have skaters on the ice during the pandemic!! Although the circumstances are challenging it is wonderful to continue to offer some programs. The support of our partners helps make this possible. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Nous reconnaissons l’appui (financier) du gouvernement du Canada. www.canada.ca

Great to see the new Club Merchandise on the ice! Thank you to the club volunteers who got this organized!

CANCELLED: 2021 CANADIAN TIRE NATIONAL SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS & 2021 SKATE CANADA CUP January 11, 2021/by Skate Canada OTTAWA, ON: With growing concern for the health and safety of all participants involved in the 2021 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships and the 2021 Skate Canada Cup given the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic across Canada, Skate Canada has made the difficult decision to cancel these events. The championships were to occur from February 8-14, 2021 ...in Vancouver, B.C., at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre while the 2021 Skate Canada Cup was planned to be a virtual event in replacement of the pre-novice and novice competitions at the 2021 Skate Canada Challenge. We are deeply saddened for all athletes, coaches, and supporting individuals who are impacted by this decision and appreciate the incredible efforts to overcome ever-evolving training and access challenges to best prepare athletes for these events, said Leanna Caron, President, Skate Canada. The severe level of disruption to training of athletes caused by the pandemic and the evolving and unpredictable restrictions associated with travel and hosting events contributed to the decision. Despite diligence by all involved in securing opportunities for athletes to train, practice and compete this season, the risks associated with hosting the event were deemed too high. As we move into a new year, we continue to closely monitor and follow the guidance from the provincial and federal health authorities. Due to the continuous shift in requirements across the country, the inability of our athletes to train due to the closure of ice rinks and the number of participants that would be required to travel, it became clear that it would not be possible to host these events, said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. The health and safety of our community is our priority and we thank you all for taking the necessary precautions and doing what you can to limit the spread of COVID-19. Skate Canada would like to especially thank our title sponsor, Canadian Tire, for its continuous support and dedication to this event and our sport over the years. Additionally, we are appreciative for the effort and support provided by all our partners, including the local organizing committee Skate Canada British Columbia-Yukon and event volunteers from across the country who have been part of preparations over the past several months for these events. We thank our athletes for continuing to inspire us and look forward to a brighter and prosperous 2021-2022 season, said Armstrong.

Wishing all of the Skate Saskatoon families a safe holiday season!

The 2021 Skate Canada Challenge is underway! Although it’s in a new format and the athletes and coaches had to prepare under adverse conditions, it truly is remarkable too see how our sport found a way to deliver a national event. Skate Canada Challenge is streaming starting today Friday, January 8th. Starting Orders and Streaming Link: https://skatecanada.ca/events/2021-skate-canada-challenge/... Saskatchewan Skaters Competing at Skate Canada Challenge Kiara Slabik - Junior Women Sydney Kotzer - Junior Women Damien Bueckert - Junior Men Tristan Taylor - Junior Men Additionally, I hope you all saw that SASK SECTION will be hosting the 2022 Skate Canada Challenge this upcoming December!!! This will be an unbelievable opportunity for our athletes and coaches.

2021 Skate Canada Saskatchewan Sectionals (Pre-Juvenile Novice) Due to the current public health restrictions the 2021 Skate Canada Saskatchewan Sectionals (Pre-Juvenile Novice) will be moved to a virtual platform, pending approval from the Saskatchewan Health Authority. 2021 Winter Classic Due to current public restrictions and the uncertainty of COVID-19, the Skate Canada Saskatchewan Board of Directors in consultation with the Estevan Skating Club have cancelle...d the 2021 Winter Classic. Assessments This is a brief note to let everyone know that the conflicting statements that we were sent last week regarding assessment days has been cleared up. Sask Health Authority is allowing assessment days; therefore, please share the following information regarding the new assessment day procedure with the clubs in your region. As of December 14, 2020, there will be no centralized assessment days until further notice; however, clubs/skating schools are allowed to hold their own assessment day for the remainder of the 2020/21 season. Clubs would be limited to a maximum of two assessment days during the regular season and may allow other skaters from within their own community to attend. All provincial health guidelines and regulations must be adhered to at the applicable time of the assessments, along with the rules that the Skate Canada - Saskatchewan Board of Directors has approved. Own community pertains to clubs within their own area only. For example, the city of Regina has two clubs. Those two clubs could attend the same assessment day. This does not mean that a skaters from an outside club could attend Regina’s assessment day. Such as, Yorkton would not be allowed to go to Regina’s assessment day). This would mean that skaters are still within their own group of skaters and arena, with only one outside person attending, the evaluator. The evaluator would be in the stands and away from the skaters. The risk of contracting the virus from attending an assessment day in this manner would be low, should be low. Clubs will now be allowed to contact an evaluator directly and arrange for a mutual agreed upon date and time for their assessments. Keep in mind that the Section has a few fully qualified evaluators in our province and they may not all be comfortable in leaving their own community.

Just as a reminder of what is indicated on our website......the rink is CLOSED on Dec. 25, 26, and Jan. 1. The rink CLOSES AT 4 PM on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. Throughout the school break (Dec. 21 - Jan. 2) the rink schedule will remain the same; flood times are the same; categories are the same. NO group instructed stroking or group instructed PowerSkating from Dec. 21-Jan. 2. If you take private lessons, please check with your coach(es) to see what their schedule is like over the break.

CLARIFICATION - discussions with the Business Response Team have brought about the following clarifications: Program Assistants would be considered as coach/trainers and therefore not included in the eight (8) on the ice. Parents participating in the a Parent & Tot or Pre-CanSkate program would be considered a participant and therefore counted at part of the eight (8) on the ice.... Due to the Public Health Order issued on November 26th, 2020 we have cancelled the following: Performance Opportunity December 5th, 2020 in Moose Jaw Centralized Assessment Day December 6th, 2020 in Mel

Regrettably - Skate Saskatoon has decided to POSTPONE the March 2021 Seminar featuring Elvis Stojko.

City of Saskatoon confirms A.C.T. Arena open at 4 PM today, Tuesday, Nov. 10. REMINDER - due to Nov. 11 Remembrance Day, the rink is closed until 12 noon - after that it is regular schedule, programming, and instruction.

With snow removal resources stretched and a massive amount of snow, the City of Saskatoon is closing A.C.T. Arena UNTIL Tuesday, Nov. 10......4 PM Please pass this along to your friends.

Due to the LARGE amount of snow, the City of Saskatoon has closed many facilities, AS WELL AS A.C.T. ARENA until 4 PM. Stay tuned for re-opening.

DUE TO THE DANGEROUS WINTER STORM CONDITIONS.....THE CITY OF SASKATOON IS SHUTTING DOWN A.C.T. ARENA AT 7 PM TONIGHT......stay safe.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11 - THE RINK IS CLOSED UNTIL 12 NOON. After 12 noon, all sessions, programs, and instruction continues the regular schedule for the rest of the day.

So great that we have the A.C.T. Hall to use as our "staging area" for our CanSkate and Advanced Prestar/Star 1 & 2 group instructed programs.......lots of ability to social distance and keep our members safe!