Editor:
In response to “suck it up” letter (Hot tub survey all wet, July 22):
Donna McMahon is mistaken/misinformed, as are so many others. We also thought the ice arenas were being built for ice sports (figure skating, hockey, school skates, public skates, etc). Unfortunately, this is not the case. The youth pursuing sporting dreams and goals can only do so six months of the year. The other half of the year is being used for pickleball, roller girls and lacrosse.
We cannot understand why one arena could not be used for ice sports and one for dry floor year-round or even for the spring and part of the summer, which would work for everyone. Healthy activity for life is important and all groups should be able to be accommodated on the Coast.
To clarify facts:
Skate Canada is the oldest and largest figure skating organization in the world and is recognized by the Government of Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the governing body for the sport of figure skating in Canada. However, we go far beyond figure skating. As the largest learn-to-skate teaching organization in Canada, we are dedicated to creating a nation of skaters both recreationally and competitively.
We on the Sunshine Coast have been struggling to rebuild our club after we lost the top skaters due to no spring or summer ice. Figure skating is a year-round sport that follows a national long term athlete development model. Without the spring and summer, skaters cannot keep up with peers competitively nor even progress at the same rate.
With regard to the rest of your letter, we concur that pitting groups against one another is not the solution. The divide and conquer routine has been going on too long, and it is solutions not surveys that are required.
The SCRD needs to support all healthy activity and all recreational facilities.
Sunshine Coast Skating Club
