The theme of this year’s annual Raft Mountain Skating Club season-ending performance on March 7 was 50 Years On The Big Screen.
The theme coincided with the 50th anniversary of the North Thompson Sportsplex and the event took place in front of a packed house of thrilled parents, caregivers, friends and family.
Skaters from ages as young as pre-school and up to seniors in high school performed captivating skating routines to movie themed music scores throughout the action filled evening to the delight of onlookers.
Each skating routine, whether solo or in a group was expertly choreographed with the obvious enthusiasm by each skater on the ice.
The Sportsplex arena bleacher-style seating, lounge, and every available seat was filled to standing-room-only levels and it was noted during the event that there were 12 local newborns in attendance with their parents.
The only wheelchair accessible place in the venue is the lounge and it was a comfortably full place for some audience members with mobility challenges to view from and enjoy the show.
From costumes, to lighting, sound and props, the planning for a large performance like this was impressive as the applause rang out for each performance to acknowledge everyone’s efforts involved in this well rehearsed evening for all to enjoy.
The grand finale was a partnership performance by the Raft River Skating Club and the Clearwater Minor Hockey Association skaters, as they wove in and out of each other with finesse, speed and agility in a musical number honouring the North Thompson Sportsplex that both groups call home for events, practices, games and rehearsals.