Eight-year-old Charlotte Ross, an aspiring Olympic figure skater from St. Thomas, Ontario, faces significant challenges due to limited access to ice pads during summer months. Municipal arenas reduce or close ice, forcing Charlotte and other competitive skaters to travel to distant cities like London, Kitchener, and Mississauga, incurring additional costs and logistical difficulties, despite growing demand for year-round ice.
Limited access to summer ice is a problem for this 8-year-old aspiring Olympic figure skater
CharlotteSt. ThomasTravelSportsSkatingFigure skating
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Eight-year-old Charlotte Ross, an aspiring Olympic figure skater from St. Thomas, Ontario, faces significant challenges due to limited access to ice pads during summer months. Municipal arenas reduce or close ice, forcing Charlotte and other competitive skaters to travel to distant cities like London, Kitchener, and Mississauga, incurring additional costs and logistical difficulties, despite growing demand for year-round ice.
- 1 Monday, June 9, 2025: Charlotte Ross will ask St. Thomas city council for more ice skating slots.
- Competitive skaters face significant travel and financial burdens.
- Professional development of local athletes is hindered.
- St. Thomas city officials are challenged to meet the growing demand for year-round ice access.
What: Limited access to ice pads during summer months is hindering the training of aspiring competitive figure skaters like Charlotte Ross.
When: Summer months (current and ongoing issue). Charlotte will address city council on Monday, June 9, 2025 (inferred from published date).
Where: St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, and surrounding communities including Aylmer, London, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg, Kitchener, Mississauga.
Why: Municipal arenas reduce or close ice pads for maintenance and to accommodate summer kids programming, despite a growing demand for year-round ice from competitive sports groups.
How: Competitive skaters are forced to travel to other cities, incurring additional time and financial costs, and competing with various sports groups for limited ice time.