About Us

By Erin Kostick

 

The history of our skating club dates back to about 1914. The figure skating Club went through many different Club names, from The Thunder Bay Figure Skating Club, The Port Arthur Thunder Bay Figure Skating Club and the Port Arthur Figure Skating Club. In 1933, there was only one existing figure skating club in Thunder Bay that skated at the Prince of Wales Arena, which became an armory in 1942. The Club was relocated to the Port Arthur Civic Arena, which was located at 70 North Court Street, and once again they were again homeless in 1959 when the building was condemned. Some skaters joined the Fort William FSC to continue their training; others skated at an outdoor rink in the Port Arthur Stadium. Four years later, the new Port Arthur Arena was opened. The TBFSC found its present home. Registration rates were once as low as $15.00 in the 1950′s and the membership divisions were by age only, not by skating ability. The learn-to-skate members as well as seasoned competitors shared the same ice surface for lessons. The registration rates for the TBFSC in the late 1990′s risen to a minimum of $170.00 and skaters are now divided by test level, not by age. The TBFSC also entertained the community with its annual ice shows. The productions date back to 1933 with the “Ice Fantasy” and continue with the present “Stars on Ice Extravaganza.”