One of the Nation’s Oldest Figure Skating Clubs is Reborn

In 1957, an open-air skating rink, the Joseph P Kennedy Rink, opened for recreation and fun for all young people of Barnstable. It was then that the idea of the Cape Cod Skating Club was born. The Club was founded by community members including 2-time Olympic competitor and 6-time National Champion, Roger Turner, to “encourage the spirit of skating.”

The following year, 1958, the Cape Cod Skating Club was accepted into the United States Figure Skating Association, making it one of the oldest skating clubs in the nation. For decades, under Mr. Turner, and later his son Michael Turner, the Skating Club was home for hundreds of skaters from beginners to National Champions, thrilling locals with their competitions and extravagant skating shows exhibiting the talents of their members.

Much to the dismay of local skaters and coaches, membership decreased over the last few years during the transition out of the old Kennedy Skating Rink to the new Hyannis Youth & Community Center (HYCC).

Today, the Cape Cod Skating Club is being re-born through the efforts of local parents and many community members with the goal of providing a place for (Barnstable Recreation’s) Learn to Skate students to transition to the next phase of skating. By joining the Cape Cod Skating Club, skaters will be able to advance their skills through freestyle skating and be eligible to participate in United States Figure Skating test sessions and competitions, as well as join a synchronized skating or theater on ice team.

“The interest has been overwhelming,” said Heidi Parent, a long time childhood member of the Cape Cod Skating and gold level Ice Dancer, is implementing many new initiatives for the Cape Cod Skating Club as incoming President, including investigating events to be held at the HYCC. “So many factors have led to a renewed interest in figure skating in the region” said Parent. The HYCC has recently been the chosen venue for the 2011 International and National Theater On Ice competitions and the 2010 United States Figure Skating National Showcase competition both of which hosted by other area clubs.

Cape Cod Skating Club has also recently joined forces with the Bourne Skating Club and Lower Cape Figure Skating Club in Orleans to regionalize synchronized skating on Cape Cod. “The main goal of regionalization is to provide every skater a chance to enjoy the team experience. Quite simply, we want to keep our skaters on “the Cape,” said Nancy Horwood, Director of the “Icing On the Cape”, synchronized skating program.

Over the past five years, Icing On the Cape has blossomed from a team of eight skaters to approximately 60 across Cape. In 2011, Icing On The Cape will have six teams representing Cape Cod many of whom will be practicing at the HYCC.

The Cape Cod Skating Club will be holding their annual meeting Tuesday, May 24 at the HYCC at 5:15 pm, the meeting is open to all. For additional information on fall figure skating programs and the Cape Cod Skating Club, please www.capecodskatingclub.com or email capecodskatingclub@comcast.net.