Fourteen-year-old Ahmad Alkahader from Syria participanting in the Learn to Skate event at Bower Ponds on Thursday. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

Integrating into Canada

Roughly 120 people participate in Learn to Skate program for newcomers at Bower Ponds

Jan 5, 2024 | 2:06 PM

Roughly 120 people were gliding across Bower Ponds on Thursday at the Learn to Skate event for newcomers in Red Deer.

Held for the 11^th year by SNAP (Settlement for Newcomers Through Activities and Programs), a division of the local CARE for Newcomers organization, the event aims to help youth and their families integrate into Canada by learning how to skate for free at Bower Ponds (4715 Fountain Dr.). Skates and hot chocolate are also included.

“We see the benefits for the kids, how the kids are really getting integrated with the culture, getting integrated with learning how to be Canadian and this is the way to show how to be Canadian: being outside, experience the weather. You don’t care about how hard winter is or how cold [because] you still want to do the skating, you still want to participate, doing hockey stuff, being outside, and that’s what the kids love,” said Ola Zeinalabdin, Youth Settlement Worker and SNAP Leader.

READ: Care For Newcomers to host Learn To Skate

Around 25 volunteers, from Hockey Alberta, Red Deer Lions Speed Skating Club, the City of Red Deer, and RCMP, also participated to help teach the families how to skate.

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Zeinalabdin said lots of people show up to the event each year, with 188 participants in 2023, and others having asked about it with excitement since October.

The event had a large impact on her own life as she remembered participating in it around six years ago when she first came to Canada from Syria. Not only did she make new friends, but she then returned as a volunteer and later earned a job from her involvement.

“The kids are really having so much fun already and you can see the kids that are starting to learn how to skate and the ones who know how to skate teaching the others which is really nice,” she said.

This was shown with friends Banin Zinalabdin, 12, and Shahed Abdalkarim, 14, both from Syria.

Friends Banin Zinalabdin, 12, and Shahed Abdalkarim, 14, both from Syria., participating in the Learn to Skate event at Bower Ponds on Thursday. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

Zinalabdin has been in Canada for just over a year. Her first time at the event, she said the volunteers were very nice in helping her learn how to skate. Having lived in Egypt most of her life, she says living in Red Deer feels the same as it did back home.

In Red Deer for six years now, Abdalkarim said she has participated in the event since her arrival. She says she has made friends as a result and can skate very well today.

“It’s fun and they help you and introduce you to new people,” she said before skating in brisk circles across the pond.

Fourteen-year-old Ahmad Alkahader from Syria said he loves skating after his first time at the event.

“I have fun but every second I fall down,” he said, describing falling as the best part of his day because it means he skated fast beforehand.

Ahmad Alkahader from Syria laughing as he learns to skate at Bower Ponds on Thursday. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

Moving to Red Deer a year and a half ago, he says he loves the city and hopes to play hockey one day.

“I like Red Deer and it’s a beautiful city,” he said. “It has beautiful trees and people are good.”

Volunteer Mohamed Jelle participated when he came from Somalia at 17 years old. He said he was first introduced to CARE for Newcomers through their soccer program and has volunteered ever since, adding he likes helping people and hopes the youth can have fun and take home some new skills.

The event also kicks off SNAP’s weekly skating program called “Friday Youth Skate Night” for middle and high school students, both Canadian and newcomer, held at the Bower Place Community Association Rink (85 Boyce St.).

Zeinalabdin says the weekly program has attracted upwards of 120 youths in past years and hopes to see even more this year.

Roughly 120 people participate at the Learn to Skate event on Thursday at Bower Ponds. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

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