Spring 2021 Hometown Messenger

PARKS & RECREATION

Skate School expands Shakopee skating options

Whether you’re new to the ice or an experienced skater, the Shakopee Skate School welcomes you. The new skate school is a partnership between the City of Shakopee and Go4Gold Skating Academy, offering a variety of instructional skating classes, community programs and advanced skating opportunities to area residents. In December, the city signed a five-year contract with Go4Gold, a southwest- metro-based skating academy founded by world-renown figure skating coach, Lorie Charbonneau. The Shakopee Skate School offers Go4Gold an opportunity to consolidate its programs in a single facility with the on- and off-ice amenities necessary to run an elite skating program, said Go4Gold's Business Operations Director Elizabeth Robeck. “This partnership will bring a multi-level skating curriculum to the Shakopee community,” Robeck said. “The Go4Gold team has years of experience in teaching beginning skating skills to all ages and skating disciplines.” That experience was exactly what Shakopee Parks and Recreation was looking for to replace its former Learn to Skate classes. “We wanted to deliver a stronger, more robust service that would open the arena to as many skaters as possible,” said Recreation Facilities Manager Troy Ciernia. Shakopee Skate School officially launched Feb. 1 with its intermediate and high-performance programs. The school will be a registered Learn to Skate USA program with curriculum to develop hockey and figure skaters. "In our initial month, the Saturday skating programs brought 30 new skaters into the ice rink. The March skating programs have doubled [that], and we will be adding the official Learn to Skate USA classes in coming months,” Robeck said. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS Shakopee Skate School is also expanding its programs to serve a variety of community needs. In March, the school will begin a Move United class to

SHAKOPEE SKATE SCHOOL LEARN TO SKATE Group lessons for all levels using the Learn to Skate USA curriculum. LITTLE GOLD STARS Introductory program to competitive figure skating offering group and private instruction on and off the ice. LITTLE HOCKEY GOLD STARS Aimed at Mite and Mini Mite hockey players, this power skating program improves edges, balance, speed, strength and agility. JUNIOR GOLD STARS Young, auditioned skaters follow a more advanced path and learn how to train for competitive figure skating. THE ACADEMY A full-day competitive figure skating training program for all levels, beginner to elite. CONTACT THE SKATE SCHOOL Email: ShakopeeSkateSchool@ ShakopeeMN.gov Phone: 952-233-9526 Online: www.ShakopeeMN.gov/ registration under "Ice Skating Programs"

Shakopee Skate School's Saturday Junior GOLD Stars and Little GOLD Stars on the ice at the Shakopee Ice Arena.

introduce skaters with disabilities to ice sports and a SkateFit class for all skaters looking for an on-ice exercise experience. Its Power Skating class will work with skaters to instill proper edge utilization to move quickly and efficiently on the ice. "Our goal is give more community members an opportunity to get on the ice,” Ciernia said, "and the skate school’s community programs go beyond traditional hockey and figure skating to offer Shakopee Skate School also offers opportunities for figure skaters looking to compete in the sport. From beginning to elite, skaters can train on and off ice with the Go4Gold’s international coaches, choreographers and trainers. The full-day Academy will help build Shakopee Ice Arena’s reputation as a destination for elite figure skaters. “The Go4Gold staff has experience coaching in four countries and is bringing state-of-the-art training techniques to Shakopee,” Ciernia said. “These techniques and equipment will attract figure skating athletes from around the world.” To learn more about Shakopee Skate School's programs and to register, visit www.ShakopeeMN. gov/registration . something unique for our community." COMPETITIVE FIGURE SKATING

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