Lucas Punkari
After taking to the ice for the past 14 years, Border Skating Club members Jillian Bobczynski and Chelsea Mosley both are seeing their time with the local club coming to a close.
The graduating seniors took part in their final ice show at the Ice For Kids Arena over the weekend, meaning the pair just have a test day this weekend and then the club’s year-end banquet before they bid farewell to their fellow skaters.
“It’s really sad because we’ve been doing this for so long, and it kind of feels like an era of my life is coming to an end,” Bobczynski remarked.
“It’s heartbreaking almost as you have to accept that something that you have done as basically a career is over,” echoed Mosley.
That feeling also is felt by coach Penny McComb, who has watched both skaters grow up on the ice right in front of her eyes.
“It’s just a pleasure to see them both grow throughout the years and to be a part of their skating life,” she explained.
“I know that [coach] Nicole [Katona-Campbell] and I both feel the same way, as we’ve become attached to them and we’ve been able to watch them both succeed and achieve their goals,” McComb added.
Having been through countless test days and competitions over the years, both Mosley and Bobczynski have different things they’ve enjoyed the most about being in the BSC.
“It’s like a home environment here and it really feels like family,” stressed Mosley, who plans to study forensic science at Trent University in Peterborough this fall.
“I’ve enjoyed the challenge of the competitions and getting ready for those events, along with getting to travel and spend time with all of my friends at the rink,” noted Bobczynski, who has applied to the military and also is planning to study nursing at the University of Manitoba.
Another highlight for both skaters has been the club’s annual ice show, which is something the pair looked forward to each spring.
“It just feels different from the rest of the year as it’s something that we all get to compete in together and we have a chance to show our talents,” Mosley explained.
“I think it makes the younger skaters want to do well and it also helps them strive to be better,” said Bobczynski.
“I know for myself, seeing the little ones skate here is like a flashback as it’s hard to believe that it was so long ago for us,” she added.
This year’s ice show, entitled “Confessions of the Shopaholics” and held Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, featured many different and unique routines that showcased the abilities of members of the program, whether it be solo routines by the senior skaters or the numerous CanSkate groups.
“They all absolutely love the ice show,” McComb enthused.
“Between the parents that help to plan the event or are busy decorating things, and the kids running through their numbers, it’s one of the highlights of the season,” she added.
While this year’s ice show is now in the books, those involved with the BSC are getting ready for their final test days of the season, which will be held this Friday through Sunday at the Memorial Sports Centre.
“There will be a total of 91 tests taking place, and it will include skaters from Fort Frances, Kenora, Dryden, Ignace, Sioux Lookout, and Atikokan,” McComb noted.
“It will be the last chance for everyone to earn a check mark and a pass for all of their hard work this year,” she explained.
