The Estevan Figure Skating Club has been part of Estevan’s winters since at least the 1930’s.  Since no records have been kept and people’s memories are sketchy, a totally accurate history cannot be given.  The Figure Skating Club has provided a form of enjoyment and physical exercise for many of Estevan’s young people through the years and has produced some highly competitive skaters.
 In the 1940’s the club was known as the Estevan Fancy Skating Club and the lessons were given in the old rink on 5th street.  Mrs. Hagen was the instructress in the late 40’s.
 In the 1950’s the ice carnivals were elaborate with many of the town’s youngsters participating and most of the rest of the population in attendance.  The ice carnival usually consisted of a program by the skating club, guest skaters from other clubs, crowning of a carnival queen, and finally, races and a costume parade for the general public.  The skating club also performed their carnival numbers for the people in Stoughton, Carnduff, Torquay, etc.
 Lois O’Laney (Shipman) was the instructress from 1950-1954 and produced some most enjoyable ice shows:
 1950 - Sharon Berg was crowned carnival queen.
 1951 - Gloria Nicholson was crowned queen for the carnival held on March 15 and 17.  D. Bannatyne, carnival chairman, and Lois O’Laney put great effort into the show which included 80 Estevan skaters, performers from the Queen City Skating Club of Regina (including Mary Alice Monroe), quest skaters Dorothy Wagner and the Harvey twins from Regina and the DeWitt’s from Swift Current.
 1952 - Gaylene Somerville was queen of “Ice Cycles of 1952” held March 7 and 8.  Once again, instructress Lois O’Laney produced a successful show with her 100 skaters.  The crowd was thrilled with performances by Doris Mack, an Estevan senior skater, showing great promise, and the quest skater Wally Dietselmeyer, professional for the Wascana Winter Club of Regina.
 1953 - “Ice Cycles of 1953” included 100 skaters under the direction of Lois O’Laney and was held March 10 and 11.  For the past few years, the performances of Lois O’Laney and Jerry Fichtemann in pair skating, and the solos of Lloyd Olson were popular and this year proved to be no exception.  The guest skaters, Joan and Jean DeWitt from Regina and Alberta and Louise Harvey also delighted those in attendance.
 1954 - An exciting carnival was held March 12 and 13, with Doris Mack, an Estevan girl now skating in Regina, appearing as guest skater.  The crowd sat in awe as Doris performed with the style that had helped her become a Regina Senior B champion and silver medallist.  Robert Kohaly was master of ceremonies for the show, which also included 60 Estevan skaters.
 In 1957, the Civic Auditorium opened and the Estevan Figure Skating Club had access to this new facility.  It was also around this time that the club became affiliated with the Canadian Figure Skating Association.  This enabled the Estevan skaters to be properly tested and to become more competitive.
 The Club has always had a hard-working executive consisting of concerned parents.  Mary Marsh had the honor of being the 1st president from 1957-1959, and during this time hired Margaret McDonald as the club professional.  Peggy Tisdale became president in 1959-60, and handed the position over to Enid Duncan for 1960-61.
 

 In 1961-62, the executive included:
  President - H. Carswell
  1st Vice President - Mrs. G. Ross
  2nd Vice President - Mrs. Kurmey
  Directors - Mrs. Strain
    Ed Hudson
    Murray Embury
  Secretary- Mrs. Dyer
  Treasurer - Mrs. Allward
  Directors - Jack Gibson
 Annabelle McLean, the new club professional produced the ice carnival “Cavalcade on Blades”, on March 9 and 10.
 In 1962-63, the Estevan Figure Skating Club consisted of 170 skaters under the direction of Annabelle McLean.  The ice show, “Memorable Moments” was held March 8 and 9.
 Annabelle McLean was also the professional in 1963-64, and produced “The Gay Nineties”, an ice show which was held March 6 and 7, and attended by over 1000 people.
 The executive for 1964-65 was:
  Past President - Murray Embury
  President - Mrs. Leroy Erickson
  1st Vice President - Mrs. E. Fagerheim
  2nd Vice President - Mrs. Henri Van Dam
  Secretary - Mrs. Stan Blackstock
  Treasurer - Mrs. J. Morgan
  Directors - Mrs. K. W. Turner
    Arnold Brown
 The new club professional was Jeanette Schmautz.  Her assistant was Gloria Fordyce, an Estevan skater.  The 175 skaters produced “Sugar ‘N Spice” for this year’s carnival.
 Mrs. Leroy Erickson remained president for 1965-66.  The 168 skaters were again coached by Jeanette Schmautz.
 1966-67 saw a change in the executive who hired Karol Harbison for their professional and Gloria Fordyce as assistant:
  President - Mrs. E. Fagerheim
  Past President - Mrs. L. Erickson
  1st Vice President - Mrs. H. Van Dam
  2nd Vice President - Mrs. P. R. Ruel
  Treasurer - Mrs. A. Friess
  Directors - Mrs. J. P. Gunn
    Mrs. G. McKinnon
    Mr. I. Endicott
    Mr. C. Lamb
  Secretary - Mrs. S. Blackstock
 The ice carnival “100 Years On Ice” was held February 24 and 25.
 
 
 

 Sandford Jones was hired as club professional by the new 1967-68 executive:
  Past President - Leo Gammel
  President - Mike Kowerchuck
  Vice Presidents - Carroll Cantlon, Kay Friess
  Secretary - Lillian Fleck
  Treasurer - Orville Dahl
  Directors - Mrs. N. Kowalchuck
    Russ Nawolsky
    Henry Van Dam
    Mrs. Addie
  Parliamentarian - Mrs. M. Lepka
 The carnival, “Hits from T.V.” and Hits From the Blitz” was a huge success with over 2500 people in attendance.
 The 1968-69 skating season was an exciting one for the coach, Sandford Jones, and the executive, headed by president Mike Kowerchuck.  This was the year that Lynn Fagerheim (Ritchie) earned Estevan’s first complete Silver medal through the Canadian Figure Skating Association tests, and Debbie Kowalchuck, Bev Lazuruk, and Sandra Lipka passed their silver free skate tests.
 John Deadlock was master of ceremonies for “Stars on Ice ‘69” held on February 21 and 22 and consisting of 140 skaters.  This year the club also held an “International Ice Revue” in January, which featured skaters from Estevan, Oxbow, Bienfait, Lampman and Carnduff, as well as guest skater Jeanette Schmautz.
 In 1969-70 the professional, Sandford Jones and his 100 skaters, were again in the news when Lynn Fagerheim attained Estevan’s first Gold medal in skating.
 Mr. Bob Larter was master of ceremonies for the 1970-71 carnival, “Extravaganza ‘71”, produced by the club professional, Bruce Kirkby, and his 140 skaters.
 A new professional, Ray Schroder, was hired by the 1971-72 executive:
  President - Jake Fleck
  1st Vice President - Bill Gardiner
  2nd Vice President - Alex Kowalchuck
  Treasurer - Gladys Martin
  Secretary - Irene Lemmons
  Gladys Fagerheim
  Directors - Ruth Gerlitz
    Stan Fleck
    Bob Addie
    Laura Tafelmeyer
    Marj Cantlon
 These volunteers were also busy trying to raise money through various fund-raising projects including a rummage sale, world series pool, turkey shoot, and the raffle of a log cabin playhouse built by E. Fagerheim.  This playhouse was won by Debbie Kowalchuck.
 Mrs. Audrey Krueger from Bienfait and Janice Dyer assisted Ray Schroder in his coaching of the 120 skaters and helped produce the carnival “On the Move”.  This was the first year that the ice carnival was held in conjunction with the Estevan Winter Festival on February 24 and 25.  The carnival featured guest skaters, Leah Currie and Marcia Decter, as well as Estevan’s Lynn Fagerheim, who had placed 2nd in the Saskatchewan Senior Ladies Competition.
 The 1972-73 executive included:
  President - Bev Trout
  1st Vice President - Alex Kowalchuck
  2nd Vice President - Marj Cantlon
  Treasurer - Gladys Martin
  Parliamentarian - Laura Tafelmeyer
  Directors - Bill Gardiner
    Charlie Lees
    Stella Patterson
    Lil Maier
  Secretary - Irene Lemmons
 The professional, Ray Schroder, and his assistant, Mrs. Gail Fleischhacker coached 120 skaters and produced “Showtime ‘73” including the Juniors “Winter Wonderland” and the Seniors “Tribute to Broadway”.  John Deadlock was the master of ceremonies for the carnival, which was held February 22 and 23 in conjunction with the Winter Festival, and featured guest skater Lynn Ann Gibson.
 The fund-raising events included a smorgasbord, rummage sale, turkey shoot, and another playhouse raffle.  The playhouse was again built by E. Fagerheim and was won by Laura Martin.
 1972-73 was an exceptionally big year for the Estevan Figure Skating Club as Debbie Kowalchuck and Lynn Fagerheim won the Saskatchewan finals held in Weyburn, and both earned the right to compete in the Canadians held in Vancouver in January.  Debbie Kowalchuck competed in the Novice Ladies and Lynn Fagerheim, in Senior Ladies, competed against Lynn Nightingale and Karen Magnussen, who eventually won the competition and the Gold medal.
 1973-74 again say Ray Schroder as the club professional and Gail Fleischhacker as assistant.  The carnival “Disney World” held on January 24 and 25 was very successful and showed off the talent of some 173 skaters.  The Power Skating program was started this season and included 33 members.  The 1973-74 executive was:
  President - Larry Trout
  1st Vice President - Josephine Mack
  2nd Vice President - Thor Bardall
  Treasurer - Betty Clearwater
  Secretary - Irene Lemmons
  Parliamentarian - Laura Tafelmeyer
  Directors - Gladys Martin
    Charlie Lees
    Ginger Anderson
    Ray Vantomme
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 A new professional, Jayne Elliot was hired by the 1974-75 executive:
  President - Larry Trout
  1st Vice President - Rose Walton
  2nd Vice President - Carroll Cantlon
  Treasurer - Betty Clearwater
  Secretary - Bev Trout
  Parliamentarian - Irene Lemmons
  Directors - Ginger Anderson
    Kathleen Barkasy
    Dora Himmelspach
    Gladys Martin
 It was a successful season with 201 skaters, and Jayne Elliot was assisted by Gail Fleischhacker.
 Jayne Elliot and Gail Fleischhacker returned for the 1975-76 season under the executive of:  President - Rose Walton
  1st Vice President - Kathleen Barkasy
  2nd Vice President - Carroll Cantlon
  Treasurer - Linda Schreiner
  Secretary - Bev Trout
  Parliamentarian - Larry Trout
  Directors - Gladys Martin
    Sylvia Bobier
    Heather McKinnon
    Marlene Pederson
 “Showcase ‘76” included 197 skaters with the Juniors “Small World” and the Seniors “Hollywood Revue”.  It was held with the Winter Festival on February 20 and 21 and featured John Deadlock as the master of ceremonies.
 The executive had a busy year with organizing a canteen, an organ raffle, and in finally getting a music room installed at the arena.  There was no power skating this year, but a “Ladies Learn to Skate” program was started.  A spring skating school was held in Estevan from April 1-30 and coaches were Jayne Elliot and Lynn Fagerheim (Ritchie).
 The 1976-77 season was the first time that the Estevan Figure Skating Club did not hold a carnival.  The 195 skaters were coached by professional Jayne Elliot and assistant Tami Morgan, and the executive was:
  President - Bill Mooney
  1st Vice President - Carroll Cantlon
  2nd Vice President - Marlene Pederson
  Treasurer - Linda Schreiner
  Secretary - Barb Grant
  Parliamentarian - Bev Trout
  Directors - Heather McKinnon
    Evelyn Biette
    Dora Himmelspach
    Darlene Geisel
  Past President - Rose Walton
  Test Chairman - Mary Kirschgesner
 This year, a Christmas skating exhibition was held by the seniors on December 22, in which 20 skaters participated.  There was a power skating program, “Adult Learn to Skate”, and another Spring Skating School.  1976-77 was the first season that the Estevan Figure Skating Club “Lignite Louie” crests were made available to the members.
 Jayne Elliot, with the assistance of Carol Cantlon coached the 1977-78 skaters, under the executive:
  President - Bev Trout
  1st Vice President - Mary Kirschgesner
  2nd Vice President - Carroll Cantlon
  Treasurer - Bonnie Bridges
  Secretary - Barb Grant
  Parliamentarian - Janice Finnerty
  Directors - Lynda Lucyk
    Darlene Geisel
    Dora Himmelspach
    Jan Leonard
  Past President - Bill Mooney
 Fund-raising projects included a chocolate bar sale, merchandise draw, and a “George” raffle.  The carnival, “Showtime ‘78” was held with the Winter Festival on February 16 and 17 and featured John Deadlock as master of ceremonies.
 An “Adult Learn to Skate” program and power skating were included again this year, and the club was chosen to host the “Saskatchewan Sectionals” in February.
 The 1978-79 season was a short one as the ice wasn’t ready until November 1st.  However, the club enjoyed a successful year with 108 skaters under the new professional, Laureen Kuspira.  The executive included:
  President - Barb Grant
  1st Vice President - Paul Radomski
  2nd Vice President - Chris Kohaly
  Past President - Bev Trout
  Treasurer - Al Fleischhacker
  Parliamentarian - Bonnie Bridges
  Directors - Beth More
    Elaine Gedak
    Jan Leonard
  Secretary - Laura Hagel
 A power skating program was held once again and fund-raising included a T.V. raffle and a skate-a-thon.  John Deadlock was the master of ceremonies for “Showtime ’79 - The Wonderful World of Fantasy” held on February 15 and 16.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 The 1979-80 season is almost history, and therefore, shall be included.  The 80 skaters are being coached by professional Pamela Parnell and assistant Tami Halvorson, and the executive is:
  President - Joan Fingler
  1st Vice President - Kathi Kazakoff
  2nd Vice President - Laura Hagel
  Past President - Barb Grant
  Treasurer - Barb LaCoste
  Parliamentarian - Jan Leonard
  Directors - Elaine Gedak
    Joyce Sitter
    Lynda Jennings
  Secretary - Barb Lawrence
 The carnival, “1980 - A Musical Space Odyssey”, was held February 22nd, and featured Steven Pearly from the Toronto East York Figure Skating Club as guest skater.  Jack Fingler acted as master of ceremonies.  Fund-raising has included another skate-a-thon and a flea market.
 The Estevan Figure Skating Club has for many years provided recreation for the young people of Estevan.  Hopefully, I have not omitted too many names or important events, as I realize that it is the hard-working, concerned volunteers who help to keep this sport available to the people of Estevan.