For over 65 years, the Fort Henry Heights Skating Club (FHHSC) has proudly called the Constantine Arena at CFB Kingston home, making it one of the longest-standing skating programs on a military base in Canada. A proud member of Skate Canada for more than 60 years, first through the former Skate Canada Eastern Ontario Section and now through Skate Ontario, the club has served both military families and the Kingston East community, nurturing generations of skaters. FHHSC holds a special place in Canadian skating history as one of only three remaining military skating clubs in the country.

According to Brenna, Glenda and Krista of the FHHSC board, “What makes FHHSC unique is its deep connection to the Canadian Armed Forces. The board is made up entirely of volunteers, serving military members, veterans, and military spouses, who give countless hours to keep the club running smoothly. The coaching staff is made up of active military, military spouses and children of military members. This coaching team is simply the best, sharing the same sense of service and dedication both on and off the ice.”

The club offers programming for skaters of all ages, levels, and abilities—from beginners learning to skate in CanSkate to STAR 1 through Gold, as well as Adult/Teen programming. At every level, the goal is the same: to create a welcoming, inclusive, and fun environment where skaters can learn, grow, and fall in love with skating.

Striving for Excellence

FHHSC is proud to have been awarded Exceeded Standard in both the CanSkate Excellence and STAR 1-5 Excellence programs. The club takes great pride in providing fun, friendly, and inclusive programming for skaters of all ages. Coaches and program assistants work tirelessly to deliver the best experience possible, ensuring every skater feels supported and encouraged.

As a military club, FHHSC welcomes skaters from across Canada each season. The Skate Ontario Excellence banners displayed in the arena serve as a visible reminder of the club’s achievements, showing families new to Kingston that they are joining a program recognized for its excellence.

Program Assistants

The true strength of FHHSC is its incredible Program Assistant (PA) team. With over 27 PAs, made up of both skaters and adult volunteers, this group is the heartbeat of the club’s CanSkate program.

The PAs volunteer countless hours each season, helping young skaters master new skills while keeping every session positive and fun. Their energy, encouragement, and leadership ensure every skater feels supported and excited to return each week. The club is incredibly grateful to this remarkable team, whose dedication is essential to the success of the program and the joy of every skater.

Reflecting Skate Ontario’s Values

Leadership, accountability, collaboration, and excellence are evident throughout FHHSC. The board dedicates countless hours year-round to keep the club running smoothly. Every weekend during the season, you’ll find board members stationed at the front of the arena, greeting every family as they enter and sending each skater off with a warm smile, and a lollipop, after every session. This personal touch ensures that every family feels welcomed, supported, and part of the FHHSC community.

This sense of care and leadership is especially visible during the club’s annual year-end ice show which is the highlight of the season. Planning begins early, with themes chosen at the start of the year, costumes prepared by volunteers, and weeks of practice from skaters and coaches. Parents support the event as well, helping with set-up, take-down, and backstage supervision. The ice show is more than a performance—it is a celebration of the growth, teamwork, and joy that skaters have experienced throughout the year.

A Community of Belonging

For the members of FHHSC, the club is much more than just a skating program—it’s a family. Longstanding members reflect on the close-knit community, where skaters, coaches, volunteers, and families all work together to create a supportive environment. The joy on skaters’ faces as they accomplish new skills inspires everyone involved to continue contributing to the club’s success.

At FHHSC, skating is about so much more than time on the ice—it’s about finding a place where you truly belong. For military families, who often face the challenge of moving from community to community, FHHSC is a place of comfort and connection. Just as importantly, the club creates meaningful bonds between military and civilian families, uniting them through shared experiences and a love of skating. Every time a new skater or family steps through the doors, they become part of something bigger: a supportive community that shares triumphs, encourages growth, and celebrates every milestone, big and small.

According to the Board, “For FHHSC, it’s an honor to walk alongside military families, while also building bridges with the broader Kingston community, offering stability, encouragement, and a sense of home on the ice. Once you are part of the club, no matter where life takes you, you will always have a family here.”