Club Information
The Winnipeg Speed Skating Club (WSSC) is the oldest speed skating club in Manitoba. It was officially formed in 1919, and kept that name until 1929 when its name was changed to The Wesley Speed Skating Club. It operated out of the Wesley Park on an 8-lap track. In 1934, the Wesley club reverted to its original name; The Winnipeg Speed Skating Club and skated on an oval behind the United College until 1951. In 1952 the club was allowed to set up a 6-lap track at the Cresentwood Community Club; the ice was maintained by the parents. The club operated at this location until 1961.
In 1962, the club moved to the Sargent Park Oval. WSSC used the outdoor swimming pool buildings as our clubrooms, set up a canteen that was run by the parents, but this time the ice was maintained by Parks and Recreation.
In 1979, the city of Winnipeg built the new facility in which all the clubs use today.
WSSC has had many skaters reach the Provincial Speed Skating Team and some have gone on to make the Olympic Oval teams, National Teams, and represented Canada at the Olympics. The WSSC is a family oriented club encouraging family members to skate together, have fun, and get some exercise. This is achieved by having different age groups on the ice at the same time. The levels of skaters are spilt into groups so the same caliber of skaters, are skating at the same time. Our club members get three hours of on ice instruction each week from our highly qualified and enthusiastic coaching staff which consists of: Andrea Olmstead – Former Provincial Team Member, and Canada Winter Games Team Member. Geoff Heath – Former Provincial Team Member and Winter Games Team Member. The WSSC has become aware of the importance to support current club athletes in their pursuit of achieving higher goals and the need for scholarships. So, the action WSSC took upon itself was to establish a scholarship fund for athletes wanting to achieve higher levels of excellence. The scholarship was named after Anne Mushumanski for her hard work, dedication, self achievements, and positive attitude for the club and Manitoba Speed Skating. At the moment WSSC is represented in Calgary by: National Team members Cindy Klassen, Brittany Schussler, and Oval program participant Andrea Johnson. WSSC has had many skaters reach the Provincial Speed Skating Team and some have gone on to make the Olympic Oval teams, National Teams, and represented Canada at the Olympics.
The following have represented the WSSC at National, International, and Olympic events:
| Skater | Olympic Year | | *Frank Stack | 1936
1948
1952 | | *Gordan Audley | 1948
1952
1956 | | *Betty Mitchell (Olson) | | | Dick Mitchell | | | *Dorren McCannell (Botterill) | 1964
1968 | | Wendy Thompson | 1968 | | *Bob Boucher | 1968 | | *Peter Williamson | 1968 | | Donna McCannell (Keating) | 1972 | | *Sylvia Burka | 1972
1976 - Won the Women's World Speed skating Championship
1980 | | Cathy Priestner | 1976 - Silver - 500 m | | Pat Durnin (Leach) | 1980 | | **Russell Meekis | 1993 - Gold - 1000 m | | Susan Auch | Short Track
1988 - Bronze - 3000 m
Long Track
1992
1994 - Silver Medal - 500 m
1998 - Silver Medal - 500 m | | **Rick Bynski | 1996 - Gold - 777 m
Bronze - 500 m | | Cindy Klassen | 2002 - Bronze - 3000 m
2006 - Gold - 1500m
Silver - 1000m and Pursuit
Bronze - 3000m and 5000m
2010 | | Brittany Schussler | 2006, 2010 | | Ruth Shead | | | Andrea Olmstead | | | Andrea Johnson | | | Geoff Heath | | | Anne Mushumanski | | | Eugene Kurmey | | | Mike McDonald | | * - Inducted into the Manitoba Hall of Fame
** - Special Olympic Athletes
If you want to try speed skating give Mike a call at 254-7122 or send an email to him at mikemc@winnipegspeedskating.ca
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