The Hillsburgh Erin Skating Club is proudly celebrating over 50 years of providing high-quality skating programs for individuals of all ages and skill levels in the Hillsburgh and Erin communities. From Parent & Tot classes to STARSkate, the club offers a full range of opportunities for skaters to learn, grow, and thrive on the ice.

What truly sets this club apart, however, is its strong sense of community. Club President Valerie Bush emphasized this spirit when reflecting on a recent milestone: hosting the Provincial Series #1 – Adult Event in 2024.

“We have the best community! Skating families have always supported us, especially with our end-of-year skating show. Last year, we applied to host a Provincial Series event—specifically, an adult-only competition—and we were thrilled to be selected. I’ll admit I was nervous at first, not knowing what to expect. But our Board came together, assigned tasks, and the response from our community businesses and members was overwhelming. They were generous, kind, and excited to help…We made sure everyone who entered the building felt welcome—clean facilities, a warm-up room, organized changerooms, security, easily identifiable staff and volunteers, food, and drinks. Working with the Town of Erin and Skate Ontario was crucial to making the event run smoothly.”

At the heart of the Hillsburgh Erin Skating Club is a commitment to inclusion, sportsmanship, and celebrating the achievements of every skater.

“It’s an honour to celebrate our skaters’ accomplishments. We want them to know how much we care. It also reinforces the importance of good sportsmanship,” Valerie said.

The club prioritizes clear expectations and strong communication. All coaches, staff, and volunteers complete required training and adhere to the club’s policies and procedures. Each skater and family receives a “Skater Handbook” outlining behaviour expectations, a code of ethics, and conflict resolution policies. The club also ensures open lines of communication through regular newsletters and social media, and values member feedback to continuously improve its programs. “We have so many positive role models—whether it’s our skaters, Program Assistants, coaches, or volunteers. Everyone contributes to the supportive culture we’ve built.”

When asked what makes her the most proud to be a part of this club, Valerie said, “I joined the Board just before COVID hit—it was a steep learning curve. With closures, changing regulations, and declining registrations, it was tough. But we made it through. Each year, we’ve had a tremendous group of Board members who dedicated their time to ensure the club thrives. Our coaches have been fantastic as well. Watching the club grow, year after year, and take on new challenges has been the most rewarding part. Our skaters are not only committed on the ice—they give back to the club in so many ways. I’m proud of every single one of them.”

The Hillsburgh Erin Skating Club earned the CanSkate Excellence – Exceeded designation for its CanSkate program, and the STAR 1–5 Excellence – Engaged level for its STARSkate program.”We were elated to learn that we had exceeded the standards! It was a huge achievement. When Skate Ontario introduced the STAR 1–5 Excellence Program, we knew we had to pursue it. Thanks to the dedication of our coaches, we achieved official recognition again. Honestly, we were already meeting many of the program’s standards—just a few tweaks were needed. Participating in these programs has also provided us with valuable tools to further enhance our delivery.”

Hillsburgh Erin SC is a place where skaters, families, and the broader community come together to support one another, celebrate successes, and build lasting memories—on and off the ice. Please join us in congratulating this wonderful club on their accomplishments!