The First Year

Organized May 8, 1951, The Collingwood Figure Skating Club was originally called the Collingwood Blue Mountain Figure Skating Club. Sponsored and proposed by the Collingwood Business & Professional Women’s Club, the Club was established at a meeting in the Collingwood Chambers.

The first Club Executive was comprised of:

• - Bernard Brophy: President
• - Sadie Houghton: Vice President
• - William McDerment: Secretary
• - Ella Gulbronson: Treasurer
• - D. Harvie: Director
• - W.B. Mitchell: Director
• - Dr. D. H. McKay: Director
• - Wallace Piitz: Director
• - Mrs. Gordon McKay: Director

*NOTE: conflict of interest required Houghton to step in as President and Gulbronson as Secretary-Treasurer

Timeline

1950: Club programming begins Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sunday afternoons in late November with instructor Ann Aubin.

1951: The Club holds its first carnival; 60 skaters participated.

1965: The Club holds its 1st Testing Day; 49 tests were passed.

1971: Nancy Somerville is the 1st Club member to compete outside the Collingwood area, first at the North Bay invitationals in the Spring and then the Central Ontario Sectionals in Toronto in the Fall.

1974: The Club incorporates its constitution for the first time on June 17.

1975: Julie Clemence is the 1st Club member to win a gold medal competing outside the Collingwood area. She wins the gold medal in Ladies Juvenile at the Great Lakes Winter Festival in London, Ontario.

1975:The Club participates in the 1st area inter-club competition in Midland. Clubs from Barrie, Midland, Oriillia and Owen Sound also participated. A silver medal was Allain Stover, and bronze medals were awarded to Michael Koshilka, Penny Janoff, Beth Nigh, and Sandra Wilson.

2001: The Club officially changes its name to the Collingwood Skating Club.

2010: The Club celebrates its 60th season - its diamond anniversary.