CORTLAND FIGURE SKATING CLUB

     The Cortland Figure Skating Club is an organization that provides skaters of all ages and ability levels the opportunity to develop their skills in a controlled atmosphere.
We rent ice time and offer specifically scheduled periods within each session for Freestyle, Ice Dancing and Moves in the Field.

      We have rules that are designed to maintain safety on the ice and therefore increase the enjoyment of skating. We ask all members to know and abide by our rules of consideration and safety.

     Although we don’t give private instruction as a club, we have professional instructors available for members who must arrange for private instruction.


                                                   Club Structure

      The Executive Board of the Cortland Figure Skating Club consists of the president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer, plus three members-at-large. They are elected to the board at the annual spring meeting. In addition, the past president, test chair, membership chair and show chair are on the board. All of these are voting members. For information, please refer to the Cortland Figure Skating Club bylaws.


                History of the Cortland Figure Skating Club

      The SUNY Park Center indoor ice rink opened on the campus of the State University of New York at Cortland (SUNY-Cortland) in October 1973, giving Cortland residents the privilege of enjoying the sport of figure skating under ideal conditions for the first time ever.

      Olive Walsh, who had spent the winters of her youth figure skating in Ottawa, Canada, approached Francis Tokar, of the Cortland County Youth and Recreation Department, for help in introducing the newly arrived sport to area residents. From this meeting came the first Christmas season "Holiday on Ice" program. Free skating sessions were offered to the public with instruction available from Olive Walsh, Gloria Ackroyd, Jean Gonino, and the late Evelyn McAllister. "Holiday on Ice" was a great success. On the last day participants were asked if they would like to start a figure skating club. Forty people formed the charter group of the Cortland Figure Skating Club.

      Starting in 1975, and in each odd-numbered year thereafter, the Club has produced an ice show. In 1989, due to a high level of interest from club members, a junior precision ice skating team was formed. The Crown City Jewels was originally formed under the direction of Susan Lovell, Linda McKeown, and Kim Knoeller. In 1992, a Juvenile feeder team for the Jewels was formed under the direction of Susan Lovell. They were called the Crown City Gems.