President – Martin Rourke ykspeedskating@gmail.com
Vice President – Menzie McEachern
Secretary – vacant
Treasurer – Jody Pellissey
Registrar – vacant ykspeedskating.regs@gmail.com
Communications Coordinator – Johanna Tiemessen
Fundraising Coordinator – Virginia Lackey ykspeedskating.volu@gmail.com
Grand Prize: Clipper Tripper 17’6” Kevlar Canoe
Sponsor: Overlander Sports
Winner: Larrissa Stewart
2nd Prize: Camping Package worth $1000
Sponsors: Canadian Tire and Yellowknife Beverages
Winner: Jennie Rausch
3rd Prize: Wellness Package worth $700
Sponsors: Collective Soul Space and Anytime Fitness
Winner: Sarah Leonardis
Thank you to everyone for purchasing tickets and supporting the Yellowknife Speed Skating Club! We raised just over $5,000 for our skaters (10 years+) to travel to national competitions… hopefully next year again!
The club hasn’t had much opportunity for fundraising this year, but we also haven’t had any travel expenses! The YKSSC Board wanted to do a fundraiser in the community to raise awareness for our club and raise some travel money for next year. We are excited to announce our Spring Raffle, which will start March 6, 2021. We will draw for three prizes Sunday, May 14, 2021, 6:00pm, Multiplex Arena.
First Prize: Clipper Tripper 17’6” Kevlar Canoe. Value $3600
Second Prize: Camping Package. Value $1000
Third Prize: Wellness Package. Value $700
Justin will be reaching out to our SS3 and Comp skaters to sell tickets at the Coop on various dates over the next few months. We also need some parents to help with the transactions! We hope to sell 500 tickets, $20 each or 3 for $50. If you are not in SS3 or Comp and would like to help out, please email Justin at ykspeedskating.volu@gmail.com
Thank you to the local businesses for their donations and contributions – Overlander Sports, Collective Soul Space, Anytime Fitness, Canadian Tire, and Yellowknife Beverages.
This year, the NWTASSA will not be able to host its annual Championship in the usual format. Instead it will be hosting a virtual championship by asking local speed skating clubs to host standard territorial events each in their own facilities in a manner that conforms to applicable public health restrictions.
The Yellowknife Speed Skating Club is hosting events for its skaters on Sunday, March 7 and 14 at Ed Jeske Arena. Skaters will skate either March 7 OR 14. Skaters will be divided by age and in a manner to make them skate with skaters of the same skill level. See below for a breakdown of dates and times (ages are as of June 30, 2020). Your skater’s time/group will be confirmed once all the registrations are in and the groups are all made.
SUNDAY, March 7
Note that ALL regular scheduled lessons will be cancelled this weekend
SUNDAY, March 14
Please confirm by Tuesday, March 2 (EXTENDED DEADLINE!), whether your skater(s) will be participating or not, to Marie-Eve at ykspeedskating.regs@gmail.com
If they are, please submit the following for each skater:
NAME:
DATE OF BIRTH:
ROCKET OR COMPETITION (younger skaters only):
Saturday, October 31 is a the deadline to register for any of our Speed Skate classes. It is also the last day you can cancel your registration and request a refund of your registration fee. Thank you!
Registration for Speed Skate 1 (SS1) opens September 14 for an early October start date (TBD) at YK Arena. We have four SS1 classes this year: Saturdays 10-11 and 11-12; and Sundays 11-12 and 12-1. Only 17 skaters will be allowed to register for each of these classes, leaving room for 3 coaches and helpers.
SS1 is for kids approximately 5-8 years old. Starts, stops, basic position and technique are introduced by non-competitive games of sustained activity. Parents will not be allowed on the ice this year due to the NWTASSA Safe Return to Skate Guidelines.
Unfortunately, these programs will not be offered in the 2020-21 season. As per the NWTASSA Return To Ice Guidelines, there is a limed number of skaters we can have on the ice at a time. Therefore, YKSSC has decided to expand the SS1 sessions (to 4 sessions a week) and focus on maximizing the number of kids we can have skating on their own (without parent) on the ice. As per the guidelines, we also can not have people on the ice over the age of 19 without special permission or exception, which is why we can not offer the Adult Learn to Speed Skate program this year. We will continue to work on the guidelines for both of these Programs for the 2021-22 season in the case they are needed.
Registration is open now for SS2, SS3 and Comp groups for a September start date.
As per the NWTASSA Safe Return to Skate Guidelines, only 20 skaters will be allowed per group, including coaches and helpers (as needed). This document and the NWTASSA Safe Return to Ice Best Practices Document can be found on our Policies and Procedures page.
The Board has decided not to increase fees for the 2020-21 season. You can read more about each program under the Programs tab.
YKSSC takes the health and safety of all of our skaters, coaches and families very seriously. Due to the closure of all City of Yellowknife facilities (as of Wednesday, March 18) and to limit the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Executive has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 season, effective immediately.
YKSSC encourages skaters and families to take care of themselves and others by washing hands thoroughly, staying home if ill, helping neighbours in need, and social distancing where possible.
Stay tuned for our year end party and AGM, which we will have when we can all socialize again
Northwest Territories Amateur Speed Skating Association (NWTASSA) is accepting applications for a part-time sport administrator. Click here to download the job description. To apply, please email NWTASSA president, Alex Clinton at aclinton@theedge.ca. Closing date March 10, 2020.