Program Updates: With the current health restrictions imposed by the Government of Alberta, we will be continuing to do Zoom workouts twice a week until sanctions are lifted, hopefully in January. We will be taking a two-week break for the holiday season, the last Zoom workouts will be on December 17, 2020 and we will restart on January 4, 2021. Once the Alberta health restrictions are lifted, we are hoping to skate outdoors at Redwood Meadows (20 minutes west of Calgary) as they have built an outdoor long-track Oval and continue skating at WinSport in the new year until the Olympic Oval is ready. The coaching staff has done a terrific job, adapting to the constant changes this season to deliver a quality program. The coaching staff has been impressed by the technical gains achieved by skaters through in-line and dryland training.
Program Refunds: 2 options are available:
o Option 1: 50% refund: For skaters no longer wanting to continue with the program as of December 8, please advise the President by December 31 (president@calgaryspeedskating.ca). Refunds will be processed by January 31 (please allow 5-7 business days for credit to appear on credit card).
o Option 2: Wait until end of season: For skaters wanting to continue with zoom workouts, outdoor skating and other activities, as permitted within Alberta health guidelines. Refunds will be assessed in March.
o Should a family have extenuating circumstances, please contact the President at (president@calgaryspeedskating.ca).
Parking Pass Refunds: We are awaiting communication from the University of Calgary and will inform skating families as soon as we can.
Clothing Update: CSSA should be receiving all clothing orders, including skinsuits, in the next week or so. Please contact Madeline vc.communications@calgaryspeedskating.ca to make arrangements to pick up your order.
TeamSnap is our new communication tool. It is very important that all families accept the invitation as it will detail the days and times of all practices.
AGM on Monday December 14 at 6:00 PM: It will be held virtually on the Zoom platform. Please email president@calgaryspeedskating.ca to register. There will be a Q&A period, following the presentation of our financial statements. We need to ensure we have enough members present in order to meet quorum.
Alberta Long-Track (ABLT) cancelled: Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions announced by the Government of Alberta, CSSA had to make the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Alberta Long-Track meet that was scheduled to be held at the Oval on January 30-31, 2021. Given the current health restrictions, and AASSA’s COVID-19 guidelines with respect to meet hosting during the pandemic, It will be very difficult to be able to host this meet.
Keeping in skate shape: Below are a number of activities to keep the family active:
o Skating outdoors: numerous communities have outdoor rinks that are open. The National team has been skating at Ghost Lake and Gap Lake. Both lakes are 30-45 minutes west of Calgary accessible from the 1A highway. Redwood Maedows, 20 minutes west of Calgary is building a long-track oval (a little short of regulation) outdoors which should be ready in the next week or so.
o In-line skating, cycling or running: with the warm weather lately, many community pathways are clear.
o Cross-country skiing: Moraine Lake Road in Lake Louise is in great shape. Canmore Nordic Centre and Kananaskis are other options.
o Snowshoeing: Kananaskis has great options along the Smith Dorien Spray Trail such as Mount Shark, Chester Lake as well as around Kananaskis Lakes.
o Hiking: Popular hikes such as Ha Ling Peak in Canmore and Prairie Mountain in Kananaskis are other options. Just wear some spikes.