History of the Ponoka Skating Club
The year was 1947, the “closing-in” of the Ponoka Arena was now complete, an arena committee was formed to promote activities in the newly enclosed ice rink! Committee members Garnet Ranks and Dick Slater approached school principal Howard Larson to form a figure skating club to get more children involved in the sport of figure skating; hence the birth of the Ponoka Skating Club. 
The clubs first “instructress” was Miss Lillian Munro from the neighbouring Wetaskiwin Skating Club. Miss Munro began instructing half a day per week then increased to a full day per week. Soon there were too many skaters for one class and the group was divided into two classes Jr. and Sr. Figure skating continued to explode in the town of Ponoka over the following years.
Today the Ponoka Skating Club is stronger than ever and boasts approximately 120 members. A newer, larger facility was constructed in 1978. Complete with dual ice surfaces and modern dressing rooms, the newly renovated Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex is now the home of the Ponoka Skating Club.
The Ponoka Skating Club offers a CANSkate Program, the "learn-to-skate" program developed by Skate Canada. The CANSkate Program introduces skaters to the six fundamental movements (Go Forward, Go Backward, Stop, Turn, Jump, and Spin) of skating in a fun environment.
The STARSkate Program offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the areas of ice dance, skating skills, free skate and interpretive skating. Some of Ponoka's skaters compete regularly at various competitions throughout Alberta.
The Club also has five Synchronized Skating teams consisting of Beginner I, Beginner II, Elementary, Pre-Novice and its very first Adult III team! The teams have competed in several synchronized skating competitions and have placed very well. Over the years some teams have provided intermission entertainment at high profile venues such as a Red Deer Rebel's game and even a Los Angeles Kings Game!
The Ponoka Skating Club has 16 executive members and 8 coaches; a far cry from its 1947 board of 5 executive members and 1 coach. In addition to carrying out their coaching and administrative duties, the board also organizes two annual events. The “Charity” skate takes place in early December. Spectators must bring a food bank donation for admission to the event. The “Charity” skate has become the clubs adopted community service project giving the organization the opportunity to “give back” by doing something that they all love to do. The Grande Finale of the skating season is the “Ice Carnival”. The Carnival is a tradition that began back in 1948 and has gained a reputation as one of the finest amateur Ice Carnivals in Central Alberta complete with lighting and amazing costumes. The Carnival gives the skaters a chance to showcase the skills that they have been working so hard to perfect throughout the winter.
INTERESTING FACT……..Why does our club have such a fantastic carnival?
In 1948 the Ponoka Skating Club held its first Carnival under the talented command of Walter Kassa, a young man that put himself through university by putting on skating carnivals in small communities such as Ponoka, Wetaskiwin and Nordegg. Mr. Kassa then signed on as the clubs “pro” in 1949 with the promise that he would continue to direct the clubs carnivals.
In the years following Kassa’s carnival days he began acting at the University of Alberta's Studio Theatre in the 1950s. Kaasa performed a variety of roles, including Caliban from The Tempest, and Willy Loman from Death of a Salesman and starred in episodes of “Gun Smoke”. Kassa became known as one of the great “pioneers” of Alberta Culture and was instrumental in building the arts in Alberta from virtually nothing in the mid-50s, to its absolutely thriving state by the time the retired in the early ’80s.
Walter Kassa was named to Alberta's Cultural Hall of Fame and the Order of Canada. It is with this accolade that the Ponoka Skating Clubs “Ice Carnival” will always be a “tough act” to follow!
History of the Ponoka Skating Club
The year was 1947, the “closing-in” of the Ponoka Arena was now complete, an arena committee was formed to promote activities in the newly enclosed ice rink! Committee members Garnet Ranks and Dick Slater approached school principal Howard Larson to form a figure skating club to get more children involved in the sport of figure skating; hence the birth of the Ponoka Skating Club.
The clubs first “instructress” was Miss Lillian Munro from the neighbouring Wetaskiwin Skating Club. Miss Munro began instructing half a day per week then increased to a full day per week. Soon there were too many skaters for one class and the group was divided into two classes Jr. and Sr. Figure skating continued to explode in the town of Ponoka over the following years.
Today the Ponoka Skating Club is stronger than ever and boasts approximately 120 members. A newer, larger facility was constructed in 1978. Complete with dual ice surfaces and modern dressing rooms, the newly renovated Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex is now the home of the Ponoka Skating Club.
The Ponoka Skating Club offers a CANSkate Program, the "learn-to-skate" program developed by Skate Canada. The CANSkate Program introduces skaters to the six fundamental movements (Go Forward, Go Backward, Stop, Turn, Jump, and Spin) of skating in a fun environment.
The STARSkate Program offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the areas of ice dance, skating skills, free skate and interpretive skating. Some of Ponoka's skaters compete regularly at various competitions throughout Alberta.
The Club also has five Synchronized Skating teams consisting of Beginner I, Beginner II, Elementary, Pre-Novice and its very first Adult III team! The teams have competed in several synchronized skating competitions and have placed very well. Over the years some teams have provided intermission entertainment at high profile venues such as a Red Deer Rebel's game and even a Los Angeles Kings Game!
The Ponoka Skating Club has 16 executive members and 8 coaches; a far cry from its 1947 board of 5 executive members and 1 coach. In addition to carrying out their coaching and administrative duties, the board also organizes two annual events. The “Charity” skate takes place in early December. Spectators must bring a food bank donation for admission to the event. The “Charity” skate has become the clubs adopted community service project giving the organization the opportunity to “give back” by doing something that they all love to do. The Grande Finale of the skating season is the “Ice Carnival”. The Carnival is a tradition that began back in 1948 and has gained a reputation as one of the finest amateur Ice Carnivals in Central Alberta complete with lighting and amazing costumes. The Carnival gives the skaters a chance to showcase the skills that they have been working so hard to perfect throughout the winter.
INTERESTING FACT……..Why does our club have such a fantastic carnival?
In 1948 the Ponoka Skating Club held its first Carnival under the talented command of Walter Kassa, a young man that put himself through university by putting on skating carnivals in small communities such as Ponoka, Wetaskiwin and Nordegg. Mr. Kassa then signed on as the clubs “pro” in 1949 with the promise that he would continue to direct the clubs carnivals.
In the years following Kassa’s carnival days he began acting at the University of Alberta's Studio Theatre in the 1950s. Kaasa performed a variety of roles, including Caliban from The Tempest, and Willy Loman from Death of a Salesman and starred in episodes of “Gun Smoke”. Kassa became known as one of the great “pioneers” of Alberta Culture and was instrumental in building the arts in Alberta from virtually nothing in the mid-50s, to its absolutely thriving state by the time the retired in the early ’80s.
Walter Kassa was named to Alberta's Cultural Hall of Fame and the Order of Canada. It is with this accolade that the Ponoka Skating Clubs “Ice Carnival” will always be a “tough act” to follow!