The Prince Rupert Skating Club wrapped up its 2016-2017 season with a year-end ice show on Saturday evening, where approximately 70 skaters showed off their talents to an enthusiastic crowd.
New and experienced skaters alike twirled around the arena in themed outfits for the ‘Canada Turns 150 Ice Gala’. The theme of the night was based around 2017 being Canada’s 150th year, so all the music for the skating routines was by Canadian artists. Musicians ranging from Avril Lavigne to Bryan Adams drifted from the speakers throughout the night.
“We decided this year that since it was Canada’s 150, we would do a tribute to Canada,” coach Sheri Pringle said after the performances.
The night was a success, even if there were a couple bumps in the road, mostly due to new technology.
“We had some hiccups for sure … on a whole, it went really well,” Pringle said.
Coming out of the West Area Jamboree the skating club hosted a few weeks ago, the skaters have been working hard on their routines since then.
“The kids are resilient. They made a couple of mistakes in one of the numbers but they figure it out and keep on going. I have nothing to complain about and I think they did a great job,” Pringle said.
The gala, which was complete with strobe lights, a spotlight to follow the skaters around the ice, and announcing done by Michael Gurney, puts an exclamation mark on another successful season by the PRSC.
“It’s been really good. We have a super keen group of Canskaters, one of the largest group of the senior skaters that we’ve had, great results in competition and lots of smiling faces at the end of the season, which is great,” said Pringle, who was the skaters’ biggest cheerleader at the gala, there to help if the need arose.
The coach said many of the skaters have already told her they want to come back next year. Even with the success of the gala, Pringle said the highlight of the season was hosting the jamboree in February.
“We did a great job and the committee did a great job. We entertained 80 plus skaters from the community, so I think that was definitely the high point,” she said.
The skating club held an awards banquet at Nisga’a Hall on Monday evening. To read more on the award winners, see page A18.
