Hi all,
Welcome to another season of speed skating.  Thank you for your patience while we have worked to get online registration set up.
Please read this posting carefully as it includes important information and changes for the season ahead.

Fees:
Fees have increased to account for increases in arena ice fees as well as the cost of online registration.  The fee increases have not been even across all groups as we have also tried to make fees more proportional to the time each group spends on the ice.  The Masters short track fee has also increased to account for the addition of Monday night ice time.

Online Registration:
Online registration is now available.  Payment can be made online with a credit card.  If you prefer to pay by cheque, etransfer or by installments, please log into your family account online to update each family member's contact information and then contact pgblizzard.treasurer@gmail.com to arrange payment.

The following links take you to instructions from Speedskating Canada for registration and include the link to register:

How to Register Online with a Family Account
How to Register Online with a Member Account

Most club members were set up as family accounts by our registrar last year.  To access your account go to the family account login option and click the 'forgot password' link and enter the email at which you receive speed skating emails.  You will then receive an email to reset your password.  If that doesn't work, contact pgblizzard.registrar@gmail.com for help. The site is not mobile-friendly.


The system will not allow you to pay for all family members at once. Unfortunately you will need to check out and pay for each person separately.  We are told that will be fixed for next year.  PLEASE remember that ALL parents need to be registered in the parent/volunteer category so that they are covered by BCSSA insurance while putting mats on the ice.

We are not using the online system to collect confidential medical information. If a skater has a medical condition that we should know about, please notify the registrar and it will be passed on confidentially to the skater's coach.

Fundraising and Volunteer Levies:

There will NOT be a fundraising levy this year.  There will still be fundraising opportunities as fundraising is key to us being able to update the club selection of rental skates.  

Instead we will have a volunteer levy.  The club is currently run by a very small group of volunteers and this is not sustainable.  Each family will be asked for a post-dated cheque for $100 which will be returned at the end of the season if the family has contributed at least 10 hours of volunteer time during the season.  Putting out or putting away mats for regular practice will not count towards the 10 hours for the volunteer levy.

Registration Nights:

Returning skaters will register on Thursday September 19th at Kin 1.  Families with children in the FUNdamentals group are asked to come at 6:30pm. Novice, Advanced and Masters skaters should come at 7:30 pm.

New skaters will register on Thursday September 26th at 6:30pm at Kin 1.

If you have registered online you will need to bring two post-dated cheques. One for the skate damage deposit and one for the volunteer levy.  You will then proceed to pick up skates.
If you have trouble with online registration there will be board members present at registration night to help you complete your registration.

Longtrack skate rental will be available later in the season and billed separately.

Learn to Skate:
The ten session Learn to Skate program will again be offered for both children and adults.  The cost is $150 for children and $175 for adults.  The cost includes skate and safety equipment rental but does not include a helmet.  This program is only available to skaters who have not previously been registered in a Speed Skating Canada program.

If you have questions about any of this, please contact pgblizzard.registrar@gmail.com
-- 
Meredith Earl
President
Prince George Blizzard Speed Skating Club

We invite you to the Prince George Blizzard 2018/19 Season Celebration and Annual General Meeting on Sunday April 14th at AimHi at 3:00pm. We will be celebrating this season's successes and the kids will get to participate in our annual Scavenger Hunt while the adults discuss club business. The PG Blizzard will be supplying pizza, families are asked to contribute salads and desserts. Families are also asked to bring plates, glasses/water bottles and cutlery. 

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. If you have specific dietary requirements please let me know ASAP.

​Additional information will be provided in the next two weeks.

Thank you,
Kessie Konwicki, Registrar

Good evening Blizzard families,

We are less than two weeks away from the BC Short Track Provincials on March 2/3rd. We are still in need of officials - specifically lap counters, track stewards and timers. There are opportunities for volunteers to officiate for 1/2 day, a full day or the full two days. Please contact Keri McLeod for more information.  The club is offering an introductory officials training session before the competition if you are interested and available.


Here are this week's updates:
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1. CANADA WINTER GAMES
Team BC speed skating athletes have taken Red Deer by a storm. Check out the CWG website for results or the BCSSA website: 
https://www.bcspeedskating.ca/news/2019-canada-winter-games/
Best wishes to Kieran, Eric, Keanan and Craig.

2. ADVANCED PRACTICE CANCELLED - this MONDAY
A reminder that due to the stat holiday for Family Day, there is no practice tomorrow, Monday February 18th.

3. BCST and CANWEST REGISTRATION
A reminder that registrations for BCST are due this week. 
In addition, any T2T aged skaters who intend to compete at CanWest must complete thieir intent to compete (upon qualification) must submit intent forms this week as well. Information is available here:
https://www.bcspeedskating.ca/news/team-bcssa-cwst-2019/

4. ANNUAL OIO SNOWBALL BIATHLON
The Outdoor Ice Oval is hosting their second annual SnowBall Biathlon tomorrow, Family Day, Monday Feb 18th, 2019. FOr more information check out the Oval Facebook page and/or website http://www.pgoval.ca/

5. BCST SET UP
Help is needed to move competition mats from the storage area to Kin1 on Thursday evening, February 28th, 2019. If you have a truck with no canopy and you are available to help please contact Dave Konwicki

6. ORDERS - I LOVE SPEED SKATING
Sandi will be coming up to PG for the BCST weekend. She will be coaching and may not have a booth set up to sell gear. If you have gear you plan to order please contact Sandi ASAP via her website at https://www.ilovespeedskating.com/

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Special thanks to all the adults who joined our Learn to Long Track program this season. Mother Nature was not very cooperative but I hope everyone learned some key skills we can all continue to practice at the Oval - this cold weather should give us an extended season (knock wood).  Lyle and Carol put on a great program, we are so fortunate to have them coaching for the PG Blizzard and supporting the Outdoor Ice Oval. 


Thanks - have a great week!
Kessie Konwicki, Registrar
~ on behalf of the PG Blizzard Board of Directors

Good evening Blizzard families,
Congratulations to our Elite athletes: Carolina Hiller, Nico Hiller, Eric Orlowsky and Craig Miller, on their performance this weekend at Canada Cup 3.

The PG Blizzard also sent a bus-load of families down to Kamloops over the weekend for the 2019 Coyote Cup. We successfully defended the Coyote Cup mug - winning second place for points, runner up to the host Kamloops Long Blades. Watch for photos on the Blizzard Facebook page. GO TEAM!!!

Here is this week's news:

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1. BC Short Track Provincial Competition
The PG Blizzard are hosting the BC Short Track provincial competition March 2nd and 3rd, 2019. Meet Coordinator, Keri McLeod is looking for officials and volunteers to assist with the competition that weekend. If you are available to assist please contact Keri at gkemcleod12@gmail.com. Positions that need to be filled are varied and many do not need special training.

Many hands make light work! 

2. Upcoming Meets
The Vanderhoof Clippers are hosting their interclub Central Funale meet on Saturday, February 9th. Meet entry for Vanderhoof is due to Kari Rae (pgblizzard.president@gmail.com) this Thursday. Meet entry forms are available here: https://www.bcspeedskating.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Feb.-9-19-FUNale-Registration-2.pdf

3. Advanced Group Cancelled Tomorrow Night
The Advanced Group ice is cancelled tomorrow (Monday January 28th). Regular practices will continue on Tuesday evening.

4. Mini Meet - Tuesday, January 29th
The Blizzards are hosting a Mini Meet this Tuesday evening, starting at 6:00pm.

All skaters are welcome to join in the races. The mini meet will be sanctioned so that skaters wishing to compete for qualifying times for BC Short Track will have the opportunity. All skaters are invited to join Kari Rae on the ice starting at 6pm. Races will continue until ~8pm.

Parents will be asked to assist with timing and place judging. Please join us to help our skaters with their fun and success at the Mini Meet.

5. Long Track Practice
Long Track practices will continue on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings provided the ice is still in good condition. Check the oval website for updates regarding closures.


6. Fundraising - Skate-a-thon 2019
The Blizzard will be hosting the 2019 skate-a-thon on Tuesday, February 5th. Sponsorship forms will be available in the small cage and lap counting sheets will be available on the night of the Skate-a-thon. Parents will need to assist their skaters with lap counting. Younger skaters will skate for one hour beginning at ~5:45pm. Older skaters will skate for one hour beginning at ~7pm.

Regularly scheduled practices will not occur this evening. All skaters are encouraged to participate in the Skate-a-thon.
 
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Have a great week!

Kessie Konwicki, Registrar
~ on behalf of the PG Blizzard Board of Directors

Happy Holidays to all our Blizzard families! We wish you a fun and safe holiday season filled with family, friends and delicious food. 

A quick reminder that any families with skaters who wish to participate in our Long Track meet on January 12th should let Kari Rae know as soon as possible (email to pgblizzard.president@gmail.com).


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1. LONG TRACK PRACTICES
Long track practices will begin this week, Wednesday December 26th, at the Outdoor Ice Oval. Practices will be led by Coach Kari Rae - all skaters are welcome to join in. Practices are Wednesday evening from 7:00 - 8:30 and Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:30am. Skaters are asked to arrive early to do warm up and have skates on and ready to go for the start of practice.

Please remember to dress appropriately, based on temperature and wind conditions. The Oval posts a wind chill chart on their website, skating at speed will increase windchill. Layers are important, as is face protection - buffs are a great addition to your skate bag. Skaters should also have water and a warm beverage to drink during rest periods.

If you have any questions please contact Kari at pgblizzard.president@gmail.com.

2. OPERATION RED NOSE - URGENT CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
We have learned that the Blizzard need 2 more people from our club to volunteer for the last night of ORN's service, New Year's Eve, in order for the club to reach the required 25 man-nights to obtain the Rotary grant.
If not already signed up for ORN this year, go to the website www.ornpg.ca to apply online. Criminal record check forms need to be taken to the downtown RCMP detachment ASAP to complete the process.

Volunteers for ORN meet at ICBC on 15th Avenue, and work in the roles of phone operators, navigators, escort drivers (drive your team in your vehicle) and designated drivers (drive the client's vehicle). New Year's Eve is the last night of the service for this year, and runs from 9pm to 4am.  

3. LEARN TO SKATE
For any Learn to Skates who would like to continue with the FUNdamental or Novice programs please contact me (pgblizzard.registrar@gmail.com) prior to our return to regular ice sessions beginning on Saturday January 5th. The option is available for skaters to participate one or both days per week, as competitive or non-competitive levels. 

Please contact me if you have any questions.

4. LEARN TO SKATE FASTER ON THE LONG TRACK
The PG Blizzard and Outdoor Ice Oval will again be offering an adult learn to skate program at the Oval on Wednesday and Saturdays beginning on January 5th. Watch the Blizzard and Oval Facebook pages and websites for more information in the next few days.

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Merry Christmas!

Kessie Konwicki, Registrar
~ on behalf of the PG Blizzard Board of Directors

Good evening Blizzard families,
I hope all our skaters enjoyed our annual Santa Skate. 

Big thank you to our team for finding a Santa at the last minute when our regular scheduled Santa was unavailable due to illness - it truly took a village!

A reminder that skating on Saturday December 22nd for Master and FUNdamentals has been cancelled due to low levels of participation.

Here is this week's update:
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1. eTRANSFERS

We can now accept e-transfers instead of cash or cheque.  Just etransfer to PG Blizzard Treasurer pgblizzard.treasurer@gmail.com.  Just please put in the notes what the money is for (safety equipment, skate rental, meet registration). 
If you have any questions or problems please contact Caitlin 


2. MEET ENTRY - FORT ST. JAMES & PG LONG TRACK
There are two upcoming meets - Fort St. James Long Track on January 5th and Prince George Long Track on January 12th. Registration forms are due this week to Meet Entry Coordinator, Kari Rae (pgblizzard.president@gmail.com).

3. CANADA WINTER GAMES
Congratulations to Kieran Hanson, Eric Orlowsky, Craig Miller and Keanan St. Rose! These four PG Blizzard skaters were named to Team BC for this winter's Canada Winter Games in Red Deer. Way to go Blizzards!!! You make us proud.


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Thank you,
Kessie Konwicki, Registrar

Good evening Blizzard families,
A quick reminder that this Tuesday, December 11th is the annual Santa Skate. All skaters are on the ice beginning at 5:45pm. Older skaters are encouraged to join the younger skaters, they are the role models for the younger group - it can be thrilling for the younger kids to have the older skaters on the ice!

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1. FUNDRAISING - ROCKY MOUNTAIN ORDERS
Chocolate orders are due December 9th. If you have an order you would like to submit please contact Catherine ASAP - to arrange pick up.


2. LONG TRACK PRACTICES
The Outdoor Ice Oval opened this weekend with good early season conditions - congratulations to the ice crew for building the ice so quickly!

Long track practices will begin soon, dependent on this week's weather conditions. Stay tuned for more information.

3. SAFETY for OUR SKATERS
The PG Blizzard Board of Directors would like to remind parents that for safety reasons parents are asked to be present during practices. If parents need to leave during practice please ensure that you have designated an alternate and that your child is aware of who is watching them.

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Have a great week!
Kessie Konwicki, Registrar
~ on behalf of the PG Blizzard Board of Directors

Good evening Blizzard families,

Thanks to all our volunteers and congratulations to all our Blizzard athletes on a great competition this weekend. We had many skaters achieve new personal bests (PBs) and three new skaters skate in their first ever races! I hope all the athletes and parents enjoyed the event, the competition is as much about the races as it is about socializing with the other athletes and parents.

Our competition would not be so successful without our dedicated volunteers. Big thanks to Meet Coordinator Keri McLeod for all the work leading up to the event, as well as on the big day, and to Meet Recorder Kari Rae, who tabulates and compiles race schedules and results all day. We also have "informal" volunteers like Elaina Hudyma who stepped in to be "Team Mom", watching over our kids and helping out the new parents - thanks Elaina!

We are now looking forward to our long track season. Exciting news - the Outdoor Ice Oval has started accumulating ice. Cross your fingers for subzero temperatures so the ice crew can get ice layed down quickly. The OIO ice crew can perform amazing feats as long as Mother Nature cooperates. Watch the Outdoor Ice Oval Facebook page and website for updates.

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1. NO SKATING THIS TUESDAY

A reminder that skating for all groups is cancelled this Tuesday evening, November 20th, because of the PG Minor Hockey Skate-a-thon.

2. FUNDRAISING

Fundraising Coordiantor, Catherine Hansen, would like to remind families that fundraising through the bottle depot or through SaveOn gift cards continues throughout the year. 

SaveOn gift cards can be purchase through the Customer Service counters at our local SaveOn foods. The staff member will record your purchase on the Blizzards page in their programs book, you will then need to send a picture or scan of your receipt to Catherine at pgblizzard.fundraising@gmai.com. SaveOn foods contributes 4% of your GC purchase towards our fundraising.

The process at the bottle depot is similar. Notify your cashier regarding your intention for the funds to go towards the PG Blizzard fundraising account. Ask for a second copy of the receipt and send a picture or scan your receipt and send it to pgblizzard.fundraising@gmail.com.

3. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
Please watch the PG Blizzard Facebook page and website calendar for information regarding skating over the holidays. Short track practices will break between Sunday, December 23rd and Thursday January 3rd, 2019. 

If ice is in good condition at the Outdoor Ice Oval long track practices may continue over the holidays.

4. SANTA SKATE

The PG Blizzard Santa Skate is scheduled for Tuesday, December 11th. Stay tuned for more information.

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Thank you, have a great week.

Kessie Konwicki, Registrar
PG Blizzard Speed Skating Club
~ on behalf of the PG Blizzard Board of Directors