Credit Union offers free skating lessons for new Canadians

International post-secondary students and new Canadians in Sault Ste. Marie can learn to skate for free starting this fall, thanks to Your Neighbourhood Credit Union's (YNCU) Motivate2Skate Program.

This program — back for the third year in a row — will run every Thursday for five weeks, starting Oct. 3, from 9 am to 11 a.m at the Pee Wee Arena.

Following the five-week program, YNCU will host a pizza lunch that will be provided to participants.

To learn more about the Motivate2Skate program please visit, yncu.com/about/Motivate2Skate.

For more information, see the press release below. 

YNCU is thrilled to bring back its popular Motivate2Skate (M2S) program for the third year in a row this fall, offering free skating lessons to international post-secondary students and new Canadians in Sault Ste. Marie. The program will run every Thursday starting Oct. 3 from 9 am to 11 a.m. The program will help participants gain confidence on the ice in a fun and supportive environment.

“We are overwhelmed by the response Motivate 2 Skate has received over the last several years,” says Kirstin Dias, Director, Marketing & Corporate Communications, at YNCU. “ It is incredible that we have been able to create a supportive space where new Canadians and international students can experience something so fundamental to Canadian culture. We hope that through this program, participants will pick up a new hobby and help them feel connected to their new home.”

The five-week program, which will be held at the YNCU Soo Pee Wee Arena, offers a fantastic opportunity for those new to Canada to embrace a classic winter activity. The program will see experienced instructors from the Pee Wee Arena and YNCU on the ice for guidance and support. Skates and helmets will be provided by YNCU.

Motivate 2 Skate began in Sault Ste. Marie in the fall of 2022 and expanded into Waterloo region and Woodstock in the winter and spring of 2023. The program offers free skating lessons to international students at post-secondary institutions and elementary students from the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program.

"Motivate 2 Skate has come so far since it was launched,” says Shaylan Spurway, Manager of Marketing & Community Education, at YNCU “What started as a local initiative in Sault Ste. Marie has now expanded into multiple communities across Ontario. It’s great to witness the positive impact this program has had, and we’re excited to keep it going for years to come.”

Following the five-week program, YNCU will host a pizza lunch that will be provided to participants.

To learn more about the Motivate2Skate program please visit, yncu.com/about/Motivate2Skate