Speedskating at Robert Crown Center is back!

As many of you might know, my son is a speedskater.

Last year he was based in Evanston at the Robert Crown Center.  (1701 Main Street, Evanston, IL)

This year, because of some issues with timing and personnel, there was no speedskating program in Evanston.  As a result, he's been speedskating at Park Ridge. 

The speedskating season at Park Ridge is over, but right now, Evanston has brought back speedskating on Monday nights!   There's no direct website to get the information from (you have to sign in to the Evanston Recreation Department to get the info, so I'm replicating the info here.)

PLEASE NOTE: 

 This is unofficial information.  I'm not connected to the Evanston program except as a user.  I'm posting this as a public service, and the information is subject to change.  Please consult the Evanston Recreation Department for the latest details.

MONDAY NIGHTS THROUGH JUNE 4

They are offering a class on Monday Nights from 6-7 to learn how to speed skate.  That class runs from April 23-June 4.  Cost is $62 for Evanston residents, and $82 for non-Evanston residents. For those that are beyond the beginner phase, they offer a drop-in free skate at the same time.  Cost for the drop-in program is $10 per session.   Some speedskates in some sizes are available, but you can also bring in whatever skates you have to learn on to start.

To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/evanston-recreation and sign in. (You may need to register for an account first)  Once you've done that, search Keyword "speed" and you should find the appropriate offerings.

The info about speedskating class from the Evanston Rec website.

SUMMER CAMP AUGUST 13-17, 2018

There will also be a summer Learn To Speed Skate camp August 13-17 of this year.  It remains to be seen what the level will be.  I assume that there will be some facility/coaching for non-beginning speedskaters, but that as of yet remains to be seen.  Last year, the camp had a couple of different coaches and a couple of different levels.  However, it is being operated by different people this year, so it's not yet clear.


To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/evanston-recreation and sign in. (You may need to register for an account first)  Once you've done that, search Keyword "speed" and you should find the appropriate offerings.

The camp will go from 9 am-5pm, and will cost $252 for Evanston residents and $272 for non-Evanston residents.

The info about speedskating camp from the Evanston rec website.

We've been attending the Monday night open speedskate, and it's a lot of fun, with a lot of good skaters in attendance.

Hope to see you out there!

Meet Olympic Speedskaters!

As you might know, my son is a speedskater. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet some of the Olympian Speedskaters and find out more about the sport!




  In partnership with US Speedskating, The Glen Ellyn Speed Skating Club is hosting an opportunity for skaters young and old to meet current members of U.S. Speed Skating Team just back from PyeongChang.

This will be the only Chicago area stop of the 19 city tour.

On Wednesday April 4 from 3:30-6 pm, come and watch some of the best speedskaters in the world as they tell you their stories, provide a speedskating demo, and give advice on how to be the best speedskater you can be! Olympians at the Glen Ellyn event will include three-time Olympian Mitch Whitmore (Waukesha, Wisc.) and 2018 Olympian Aaron Tran (Federal Way, Wash.)

Admission is free so bring your friends, your family, and anyone who is interested in the sport of speedskating.

Free Admission. All ages. No skating experience required.

The 2018 US Speedskating Team

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Meet and Greet
• Q&A with Olympians
• Try Speed Skating
• Demonstration Race/Relay

Checkin is from 3:30 pm-4pm.
Ice time from 4-5:30 pm,

and the Q& A will go from 5:30pm-6pm.

Bring a helmet and your own skates (Hockey or Figure Skates are fine) or let them  know on the registration form if you need to rent skates. ”Walk-ins” are welcome, but pre-registration is strongly recommended.   To register, visit https://asai.wufoo.com/forms/tour-of-olympians/

Parents must be present to sign a waiver at check-in for anyone age 18 and under. Parents of those age 13 and under must stay for the duration of the program.

WHEN:  April 4 from 3:30 pm-6 pm WHERE:  Triphahn Ice Arena--1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169 COST:  Free. REGISTER:  Not required, but highly recommended. REGISTER ONLINE FOR MORE INFO:  email glenellynspeedskating@gmail.com or visit http://glenellynspeedskating.org/

The tour will visit 18 other cities:  Here are the other dates.
Find out more on the US Speedskating site

Tour Dates / City (subject to change)
March 23-25 / Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
March 26 / Walpole, Mass.
March 27 / Shelton, Conn.
March 28 / West Orange, N.J.
March 29 / Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
March 31 / Anacostia, Washington D.C.
April 2 / Cleveland Heights, Ohio
April 3 / Midland, Mich.
April 4 / Glen Ellyn, Ill.
April 5 / Milwaukee, Wisc.
April 6 / Green Bay, Wisc.
April 8 / Madison, Wisc.
April 9 / Champaign, Ill.
April 10 / St. Louis, Mo.