Edwardsburgh Figure Skating Club Time Capsule Opened

Edwardsburgh Cardinal Council and staff gathered with former skaters, volunteers, and community members to open the Edwardsburgh Figure Skating Club time capsule on Monday, November 24, 2025, at town hall. Mayor Tory Deschamps welcomed everyone and thanked them for joining in this moment of local history.

Stephanie Summers, Club President in 2000, thanked the Township for hosting the event and shared the story behind the time capsule. She spoke about the club’s early beginnings when Herman Baker founded the Edwardsburgh Figure Skating Club in 1967. Herman had also played an important role in establishing the Spencerville Arena and reached out to women in the village for support. Their commitment helped create a space where children could learn to skate and build confidence on the ice.

By 1972, the club had formed an executive and became a formal club under Skate Canada. The club continued to grow and by the late 1990s it had more than 130 skaters. It was considered one of the largest clubs in the region and, at that time, six or seven skaters had earned gold achievements in different elements of the sport. This level of accomplishment was exceptional for a rural club.

Gwen Salmon, an executive member, suggested creating a time capsule a millennium project. Her brother, Glen Box, worked at Selkirk at the time. Glen designed and built the capsule and donated it to the figure skating club. 

In 1999 and into 2000, the club executive gathered items that reflected the club’s spirit and offered a snapshot of its history. The capsule held letters from the club president and skating members, albums, photos, and newspaper articles. It also included programs from ice shows and interclub events, along with club newsletters from 1997 to 2000. CanSkate information, badges, CFSA test sheets, club crests, medals, a club jacket, competition records, awards, and memorabilia from the Spencerville Winter Festival were also included. Families and skaters such as the Hooper, Hutton, and Lawrence families contributed items that showed the depth of community support. 

The capsule and a list of its contents are currently on display at the Spencerville Arena

By 2010, the club had 37 skaters and only a small group of volunteers. The executive worked hard to keep the club running. They sought donations and reduced ice time from three days each week to two. Despite their efforts the club continued to decline, and closed in spring 2022.

The time capsule opening celebrated the legacy of the volunteers, families, coaches, and skaters who contributed to the club across its fifty year history. The stories shared at the event reflected a strong sense of community and pride and offered a meaningful reminder of the people who helped skaters grow, learn, and shine on the ice.