It is not very often a small town can host the best of the best.
For the community of LeRoy that rarity became a reality on March 14 when they played host to the Stars on Ice Road Show.
The road show featured some of the best figures skaters Saskatchewan has to offer, including a number of provincial champions, as well as some performances by local and regional skaters.
Being able to bring the road show to the community was great, noted LeRoy Skating Club president Jamie Oesch, because it allows the kids in the club a chance to look up to someone a little further along in their skating career.
In addition to skating, the road show also took time to do a presentation at the school, which was also an important part of the experience, noted Oesch, who said the presentation seemed to make an impact on the kids, with some being “very impressed.”
“Hopefully it will help our club grow. Our club has grown quite a bit in the last couple of years.”
Being able to bring the skaters into the school served as an eye opener for the students who do not necessarily hear it from their friends.
“(CanSkate) is a learn to skate program. If they knew what it was about then these skaters that showed them today would hopefully have helped. It was a big thing for them to see the skaters and promote skating in our area.”
Of course, the road show also featured skaters from the LeRoy Skating Club, and served as not only a demonstration of Saskatchewan’s best, but also served as the skating club’s year end carnival.
Being able to host the carnival is a great opportunity for parents to see what the skaters have been working on all year, notes Oesch.
“The parents don’t very often get to come and see the progression of their kids. It also gives an opportunity for the community to see what is being held in our arena and what our young people in town are doing. So it’s very good for the kids to have a wind up and say they had a good year.”
While families came out to see the skaters show off the skills they learned throughout the year, so too did the community, nearly filling the LeRoy Memorial Arena stands, says Oesch.
“It’s great to have their support, it helps keep our programs running in town. We’re thankful and it’s very honouring to see a crowd like this.”
While the community came out in spades, it was not just the community of LeRoy who did so with many people traveling from other communities, says Oesch.
“This whole surrounding area is tight knit. One supports another. Not only did LeRoy themselves build the rink but they also had the support of other communities and they continue to support our community and it’s great.”
While skating was the main attraction, there were also some door prizes available as well, with one coming from the local businesses in town and the others coming from the skating families.
“(The businesses) were very generous with their donations and we thank them very much for that… the parents just came up with the idea that we should spend $10 because we keep our fees fairly reasonable within the club and they came up with the idea to spend $10 and make a few baskets so we did well.”
Seeing the parents step up with the support of some door prizes is not overly surprising, says Oesch, who notes they are quite willing.
“They’re very open to helping out and stepping up and they helped out quite a bit with it.”
Oesch would like to thank everyone for coming out and supporting their club and the skaters.
“I hope they all had a really good time with it. It was a really good show.”
