The Preston Figure Skating Club held its annual gala this weekend and celebrated a remarkable 61 years of fostering local talent.
Skaters took to the ice at Hespeler Arena to showcase the hard work, dedication and artistry of the sport across all levels, from beginner to competitive athlete.
“Our goal is focus on the children, make sure the skaters are learning, benefiting from this kind of task because it’s a lot of performance,” said gala director Kevin Wheeler. “We want them front and center. We want this to be about the next generation of skaters coming through.”
The show featured solo and group routines, as well as synchronized skating performances.
“We’ve always prided ourselves in our shows,” said choreographer Jeff Cann. “We have the ice ramps, we have hoops in the air, we do aerial work. There’s a lot more depth that you might see in some professional shows.”
For over six decades, the Preston Figure Skating Club has been a cornerstone of the Cambridge skating community, offering programs that range from Learn to Skate to advanced figure skating training. The annual gala serves as the club’s biggest event of the year, bringing together skaters, coaches, families and local supporters in a celebration of athleticism and artistry.
“It’s just my second family,” said skater Jodie Robbins. “I’ve always been with this club. Everyone’s amazing. They’re all my friends and I grew up with them over 16 years.”
Staff remain committed to developing young skaters, fostering sportsmanship and keeping the joy of skating alive in Cambridge.
“It’s really a highlight for the coaching staff, and the choreographers on the show, to see and work on things and start to develop and have them learn what an ice show is all about, versus a competition scenario,” Cann said. “It’s very fun to see them when they start young and develop them and see them grow.”
More information about the club and upcoming events can be found here.
