About Us

The Westminster Figure Skating Club of Erie, Inc. was originated in February, 1958 at a coffee hour at the home of Mrs. Clarence Hassel. The founders, Mrs.Reginald Vassar, along with other mothers from families in Millcreek's "Westminster Heights", and Mrs. Charles Dailey, who, with others from various Erie areas, were interested in figure skating. The Club's first officers were Mrs. Reginald Vassar, president; Mrs. Charles Dailey Jr., vice president; and Mrs. William Henglebrok, secretary-treasurer. The main reason for the formation of the club was to promote a keener interest in figure skating in the Erie area so that some day the need for an artificial rink would be realized. WFSC held its sessions on "natural ice" at Dauphin Park Pond, located in the Westminster Heights area. The surface was 100 feet by 85 feet. The newly-formed club hired boys and girls and paid them $1.00 per hour to clear the ice of snow every day. When heavy snow storms occurred, parents, neighbors and skaters worked to clear the pond of snow. The figure skating club and the Westminster Heights Association maintained an agreement stating that the club would pay for having the ice cleared of snow, for all residents of the area to skate, except when club classes were taking place. In return, figure skaters from outside the area received permission to skate. The club limited membership to 50 families to keep the ice from being over crowded. In its first active year the club had a total of 150 skating children and adults. WFSC skated on Dauphin Pond from 1959 until 1963. Classes were set up for children and adults and specific days, while other days were scheduled for hockey players. Dottie Vassar and Ellie Dailey taught the figure skating and ice dance classes. Bill Henglebrok encouraged the boys playing hockey to purchase actual hockey sticks instead of their tree limbs and broken golf clubs. Results of a survey the club conducted in 1961 indicated that as many as 1,500 skaters would be interested in skating on an artificial rink. This information was shared with the Mayor of Erie and several local businessmen. In 1962 William Walker built the first outdoor public skating rink at the corner of 38th and Greengarden. The rink had a plastic bottom and was the site of the Club's first skating exhibition. In 1963 John Cochran worked in conjunction with the Erie Zoological Society to build an artificial rink at Glenwood Park, and in December, 1964 construction was completed on the indoor ice rink we now know as the J. M. Cochran Ice Arena (JMC). In 1963 the Club also applied for membership in the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA). Following a year of probation and a year of demonstrating its ability to operate under USFSA rules, the club received full USFSA membership in 1965. WFSC has been skating as a club and holding sessions at JMC since 1963, and now also spends part of the skating season at the Mercyhurst College Ice Center. The club is open to skaters of all levels and abilities. Skating school is available for students interested in taking private lessons. Skating school and group lessons are available year-round. Club dues are based on the cost of getting club ice, skating professionals, USFSA dues and other items needed to effectively manage club operations.
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