History of SLFS
Club Origins
It was the winter of 1997 when the club known as Timpanogos FSC was started by Diane Palmer, Melissa Palmer's mom, and six (6) other moms (myself included) and one (1) coach, Katie Head, in Utah County. We all held a position on the board.
Chloe Barnes was the youngest member, she was six. When we first started there wasn’t an indoor rink in Utah County. Our freestyle session was on Saturday mornings from 7:00 to 9:00 AM at the outdoor rink at Seven-Peaks. Our "season" went from November to February or March, depending on the weather. They didn't run the Zam. We showed up a little early and squeegeed and swept off the ice, before the girls got on. Seven-Peaks sits right up against "Y" mountain on the East side of Provo, and I remember that we froze until that sun would finally pop up over the top of it and give us a little warmth.
The first couple of years were a struggle to keep our 25 member limit, but after they finally built the Peaks Ice Arena for the Olympics, our numbers started to increase. Right about that time, we met the Melonas, Barson and Warnick Families.
I was the President of the Club when the Olympics came to town, and we organized carpools and got our skaters up here to Salt Lake City Sports Complex to audition for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Back then driving to Salt Lake City seemed like such a trek!
Little did we know.........?
We were so proud when 39 of our skaters (youth, adults, and coaches) made it in to the Olympic Ceremonies. Over those several months of coordinating carpools, pickups, and drop-offs, we worked so closely together and everyone pulled their weight. It was a terrific group effort, and we became a very tight-knit group. This, I think, is what got us through the initial ups and downs.
Transition to Salt Lake County
We needed a rink that could provide us with the freestyle sessions needed for our skaters to progress. We parted ways with the Peaks Ice Arena, and made the Utah Olympic Oval our primary rink. After a while, the Utah Olympic Oval cut their freestyle sessions back. Traveling from Utah County to Kearns everyday helped us to realize that Salt Lake City really isn't that far away.
Parents at the Salt Lake City Sports Complex were contemplating creating a club. Timpanogos FSC needed more ice time. On February 18, 2004 the Club made the Salt Lake City Sports Complex its primary rink and officially changed our name from Timpanogos FSC to Salt Lake Figure Skating.
Original SLFS Board of Directors
The Salt Lake City Sports Complex is multi-use facility comprised of two Olympic size swimming pools, two Olympic size ice sheets and a full fitness center. The facility is owned by Salt Lake City Corporation and managed by Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation. The Sports Complex is well-managed managed and has an outstanding maintenance reputation. Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation continues to make capital investments to ensure a premier facility today and well into the future.
The Club owes a debt of gratitude to our founding Board Members for their perseverance, tenacity and visionary spirit.
· Annette Barnes Pleasant Grove, UT
· Alyse Davis Springville, UT
· Julie Barson Springville, UT
· Sherri Day West Jordan, UT
· Jonathan Lawrence Springville, UT
· Irene Melonas Orem, UT
· Bonnie Baucom South Jordan, UT