Ever Active Schools in Medicine Hat is collecting skates to help support their learn to skate program for newcomers to Canada. (Bob Schneider/CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat group collecting skates for learn to skate program

Jan 19, 2024 | 1:38 PM

A national charity is asking the Medicine Hat community for skate donations so newcomers to Canada can learn to skate.

Those skates can be donated during a drive being held at the Medicine Hat Rattlers women’s hockey game at the Moose Arena at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday.

Ever Active Schools will be hosting three learn-to-skate sessions for newcomers to Canada in March at the Redcliff Arena. They are looking for enough skates that all 50 attendees can lace up.

All sizes of skates are needed as both children and adults will be taking to the ice.

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Ever Active Schools operates a number of programs with the children and youth of newcomers.

Erynn Biggar, a healthy wellness consultant with the group, said the learn-to-skate program in new to Medicine Hat, but not new to there organization.

“We’ve done, learn to skate in Edmonton for quite a few years and in Calgary we’re doing it as well, at the Olympic oval there with newcomers,” Biggar said.

“So it was kind of a we want to do it too here. Seeing as we’ve already had this partnership with Saamis Immigration,” she added.

“So it was kind of my baby and I just have grown and said this [is] what we want to do.”

Biggar encourages those looking to donate to attend the game on Saturday.

Skates can also be dropped off at Saamis Immigration on 3rd Street downtown Medicine Hat.