SURREY — Elizabeth Roman has very fond memories of hitting the ice in the very first North Surrey Skating Club show, back in 1967.
“I was a candy floss – that was my costume,” she recalled with a laugh.
Today, Roman is a longtime skating instructor who came up with the idea to replicate the club’s first show, called “Under the Big Top,” in celebration of its 50th anniversary. The ice carnival will take place this Saturday (March 4) at North Surrey Recreation Centre’s old rink, with show times at 1 and 6 p.m.
It’s a special event for Roman in more ways than one.
In 1967, an organist played the music live while seated on a bench, on the ice.
“It was done very different in those days, of course, and truthfully the music is better now, better quality,” Roman noted.
She estimates that she’s taught more than a thousand skaters over the years.
Among Roman’s former students is Rowena Lochhead, who now coaches at the club, along with her brother, Evan.
The club has about 190 members right now, including CanSkate-rs and private students. All will be featured in Saturday’s shows.
Among the youngest performers is Roman’s granddaughter, Isabella.
Roman isn’t sure exactly how long she’ll continue coaching skating, but she loves the work.
Roman cherishes the faded old program she has from the club’s first “Under the Big Top” ice carnival.
Advance tickets for the show are $8 for youth and $12 for adults, or $10/$15 at the door. For more details, Northsurreyskatingclub.ca.
