(April 25, 2008)

Two figure skating clubs in New Brunswick united to strengthen the sport they love. The Fredericton Figure Skating Club and the Nashwaaksis Figure Skating Club voted to merge on March 17, 2008. The new club is called the Capital City Skating Club and will have over 300 members becoming the largest Skate Canada club in that province.

The first conversations regarding the possibility of these two clubs merging took place almost a decade ago. The time seemed right this time for all those involved in the two clubs.

“It was a unanimous vote in favour of the merger, so we all believe that this will be a great thing for the sport of figure skating in this city,” says Kim Tucker, the president of the new club and former president of the Nashwaaksis Figure Skating Club.

A contest is currently underway to find a new logo and colours for the new club. More information can be found at the new club’s website www.capitalcityskatingclub.ca

“It is great news to hear clubs are considering the option of merging their Skate Canada clubs.  Merging two or more clubs can definitely be a positive experience for the clubs as well as its members.  The new club can share resources, have a larger number of skaters and have a larger number of volunteers to help run the club,” says Jeff Partrick, Skate Canada Director Coaching and Member Services.  “Merging two or more clubs means increasing the pool of technical, programming and administrative knowledge that can also be a benefit to improving and strengthening club operations.  With the limited ice time in certain areas it is also an advantage for a club to go before city or municipal organization as one voice representing a larger group with its ice time requests.”

The Nashwaaksis Figure Skating Club was around for about 35 years while the Fredericton Figure Skating Club was around for more than 50 years.