Strathmore Skating Club welcomes skaters back to ice for new season 

By Arianna Lee Times Contributor

Strathmore Skating Club is showing promise early in the 2026-27 season, with strong numbers in the club’s Starskate program.

“Our numbers for the StarSkate Freestyle Program are higher than normal for the season, which is really good that skaters have progressed to be in that program,” said head coach Breanna Zarowny.

With more skaters progressing into Starskate, Zarowny said coaches are looking forward to seeing returning skaters continue to develop their skills and reach new milestones.

For skater Ashlynn Pierson, this season comes with new goals to work towards as she continues developing her skills on the ice.

“I want to land my Axel this season and my Flying Camel,” said Pierson.

Pierson has been skating for four years and first became interested in the sport through CanSkate, the club’s beginner program. She has since progressed into StarSkate and continues to work towards new skills. 

“It’s taught me courage. I’ve gotten a lot braver since I’ve been on the ice,” said Pierson. 

Another skater looking ahead to this season is Stella Haugen, who has been skating with the club for three years. This season Haugen is hoping to pass Star 2 and land her flip. 

Beyond learning new skills, Haugen said skating has taught her lessons she carries beyond the rink. 

“It’s taught me to be patient and balanced,” said Haugen. 

The club offers a range of programs for skaters of different ages and experience levels, from beginners learning the basics to those developing their figure skating skills. 

Zarowny said Pre-CanSkate, designed for children ages three to six, continues to be one of the club’s most popular programs. 

“Every year our Pre-Can …  is the most popular and it fills up the quickest,” said Zarowny. 

Interest in the club’s Pre-Star program is also growing, with more children interested in learning to figure skate. 

While most programs are nearing capacity, Zarowny said there are still spots available in CanSkate and AdultSkate for families looking to register. 

One challenge the club continues to face is access to ice time, as demand for rink space remains high among local sports. 

“Obviously, it would be nice to have more ice time to offer more programs more frequently,” said Zarowny. 

Despite the challenges, Zarowny said the club remains focused on creating a welcoming environment where skaters and their families can build connections. 

“We’re a very open, welcoming, friendly club that is here to help everyone learn to skate and be part of a community,” said Zarowny.   

The club will also host its holiday show in December and year end show in April, giving skaters an opportunity to showcase what they’ve been working on throughout the season for friends and family.