New Canadians hit the ice in Charles Clark Square

By Reem Kodmany

All Saints’ Anglican Church kicked off its month-long outdoor winter skating event Feb. 2 for new Canadians looking to explore all that winter in Windsor has to offer.

“Last year we had about 250 participants,” said Rev. Robert Clifford, whose church partnered with the Downtown Windsor Community Collaborative, the YMCA and the City of Windsor to stage the Newcomers free skate taking place every Saturday this month in Charles Clark Square.

This year, more than 500 people showed up for the launch that offered skaters soup, hot chocolate and a figure skating demonstration. The church’s basement was filled skates and volunteers helped attendees find the right pair.

“ This is the seventeenth season for this program,” said Art Roth, who has organized the church’s skate lending program since 2002.  “It can be a pastime for a lifetime.”

Roth said the Newcomers skate event encourages people who aren’t used to the cold weather in Canada to get outside and have fun.

“Too many of us get stuck at home in winter,” he continued. “Meeting new friends and learn how to skate is always a benefit. We‘re in a cold country; skating makes the spring come much faster.”

Windsor Councillor Rino Bortolin agreed and said learning how to appreciate the cold and the snow can lessen the toll Canada’s weather takes on new Canadians.

“Obviously this is something new for a lot of newcomers, the cold and to see the snow and ice,” Bortolin said.

The All Saints’ skating program offers lessons from experienced volunteers every Saturday between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. so long as ice conditions permit. For more information, visit the church’s website by clicking here.