TOLEDO, Ohio — After the pandemic forced the program to take a two-year hiatus, the Toledo Ice Crew is back for their fifth season of teaching kids how to skate and/or play hockey – and it’s all free for participants.
The program is open to boys and girls from 5-14 years old and has multiple divisions based on age: 8 and under and 9 and up.
The program is tailor-made for kids who may not have grown up around skating or hockey and organizers are happy they are able to teach the lessons that the sports have to offer.
“It’s about learning how to fail and come back from that,” said program director Mike Mankowski.
Skating and hockey both have barriers to entry.
Both require a lot of equipment.
But organizers are happy to help in that department too.
No experience is necessary to participate and all equipment is provided.
According to Mankowski the program is a victim of its own success.
Parent Brittany Abraham says the program has been amazing for herself and her daughter. Brittany doesn’t skate herself but her daughter has wanted to for years.
“My daughter has never been even on roller skates before and she’s now skating with the big kids group. She’s only been on the ice without a walker for five minutes. It’s very exciting,” said Brittany.
Parent Andrea Hamner agrees. Her son is excited to learn how to skate and try his hand at hockey.
“I think this is a wonderful opportunity because hockey is tough to get into in the area and this is a great program for people getting to try it out,” said Hamner.
Weekly sessions, which are held at the skating rink at Ottawa Park on Parkside Blvd., will last until mid-March as long as the weather cooperates but the kids will also get a special treat.
One of the sessions will be held on the ice at the Huntington Center where the Toledo Walleye play.
Over 90 kids signed up for the program this year - more than the Ice Crew had the ability to accommodate – which forced them to implement a waiting list.
“We’d love to be able to get all of them on but we have some work to do in terms of being able to grow the program. But we’re getting there,” said Mankowski.
He says they are also looking into adding adult courses in the future as well.
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