A: Since 1974, the Centennial Park Skating Club has been a cornerstone of our community. As a non-profit, certified Skate Canada member club, we are committed to fostering a love for the ice in a supportive and professional environment.

We are dedicated to coaching excellence across all levels of skating, ensuring that every skater, from beginner to advanced, receives the highest quality instruction to help them reach their skating goals.

A: All CPSC programs are taught by professional coaches certified through both Skate Canada and the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). CPSC only employs certified, accredited coaches.

A: CPSC coaches register annually with Skate Canada and must maintain a current first aid certificate and pass background checks every 3 years to remain in good standing.​

A: Skate Canada’s Safe Sport program provides policies and reporting pathways intended to support a safe, inclusive, and respectful skating environment.​

A: City of Toronto skating lessons are city-run recreation programs that use a five-level “Learn to Skate” progression coached by seasonal instructors.​ The CPSC is a Skate Canada sanctioned club delivering Skate Canada programming and a structured pathway into ongoing skill development. Skate Canada’s CanSkate program is widely recognized as the gold standard for learn-to-skate programming in Canada. It is the only national learn-to-skate program in the country that is developed by experts and based on Sport Canada’s Long-Term Development (LTD) principles.

A: We are proud to introduce the CP Skating Academy as of Spring 2026; a new competitive division of the Centennial Park Skating Club. With skaters qualifying for the Skate Ontario Provincial Championship for two consecutive years, we are building on this success by rebranding our advanced stream. This division will support the continued development of our Pre-junior, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior skaters as we strive to maintain and grow this momentum.

A: CPSC offers Skate Canada’s flagship CanSkate Learn-to-Skate program which provides foundational learning for figure skating, hockey, ringette, speed skating and recreational skating. Beginners can start at age 3 to adult.

We also offer an introduction-to-figure skating program with a pathway to our Skate Canada STARSkate advanced figure skating programs.

Our new CP Skating Academy stream supports the continued development of our Pre-junior, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior skaters in a competitive environment.

A: Beginners should start with CanSkate, our learn-to-skate program focused on fundamental skating skills. Please see the program descriptions listed on our web site for more details.

A: No experience is necessary for any of our Learn to Skate programs, but child skaters should be comfortable enough to be on the ice without a parent. You do not need to worry about the Stage/Level when registering for one of our programs; just select the proper age group and the date and time that works best for you.

A: Yes. CPSC offers Adult CanSkate with beginners welcome. This program runs concurrently on the same ice time as child CanSkate programming allowing parents the option to learn at the same time as their child.

A: No. We do not offer private lessons for beginners, we only offer the group format Skate Canada CanSkate program. Skaters will begin working with private coaches in the STARSkate (figure skating) program.

A: CanSkate uses Stages 1–6 to organize skill progression and skaters progress is based on skills demonstrated, not age.​ CanSkate skill development is tracked across Balance, Control, and Agility, and stage progress/recognition aligns to these fundamentals. 

A: Coaches assess skills throughout the season; skaters move up when they can consistently perform the stage skills safely and with control, and progress is recorded.

A: You do not need to worry about the Stage/Level when registering for one of our Learn-to-Skate programs; just select the proper age group and the date and time that works best for you. For a new participant, an assessment can be done on the first day of skating to determine the skill level of the skater to assign them to a group with a similar skill level. Periodically through each season, assessments will be done and incentives will be awarded. At the completion of a season, CanSkate participants will also receive a report card along with any incentives achieved and a recommendation of which program to register for next.

A: Yes. CPSC follows Skate Ontario’s CanSkate Excellence and Skate Canada’s CanSkate guidelines to award ribbons for each of 6 stages for Balance, Control and Agility (3 separate ribbons per stage), as well as a badge for each full stage 1-6 completed.

A: At CPSC, skaters who wish to pursue figure skating can progress into Skate Canada’s STARSkate levels after completing CanSkate fundamentals.​

A: Skate Canada’s STARSkate curriculum is Canada’s premier figure skating program. STAR 1-5 lays the groundwork by introducing participants to all the figure skating essentials. STAR 6-Gold is an assessment program designed for skaters who have completed the STAR 1-5 curriculum. It pushes participants’ skills to the next level, while introducing exciting advanced figure skating elements. STARSkate assessments are completed at each level at different disciplines with the goal to reach Gold Level in any discipline, which is the highest achievement in the STARSkate stream.

A: Yes. As skaters progress in the STARSkate stream, transitioning to private instruction is a mandatory requirement. Selecting a private coach ensures that your athlete receives the individualized technical attention necessary to complete assessments and find success in the competitive Academy environment. Coaches are self-employed for their private lessons, so you hire them directly.

A: Your program registration fee only covers the ice rental and group coaching. You will receive a separate bill (usually monthly) directly from your coach for their private lesson fees. Payment for this invoice is due upon receipt unless otherwise coordinated with the coach.

A: Talk to a few different coaches to find a match for your child’s personality and goals. Before you commit, confirm that the coach is available during the specific sessions you plan to book.

A: Your main coach (base coach) usually teaches everything (freeskate, skills, dance). As your child advances, your coach might suggest adding a "specialist" coach to your coaching team for specific areas like choreography, dance, jumps, spins, steps, artistic, etc.

A: The STARSkate tests or "assessments" guide skaters through foundational to elite levels in Skills, Elements, Dance, Free Skate, and Artistic disciplines. Levels STAR 1 through 5 are assessed by the skater's own coach during regular lessons, while STAR 6 through Gold levels (except for Skills tests) generally require evaluation by external officials during formal high test days. Every assessment requires a mandatory Skate Canada fee to cover national record-keeping and administrative costs, and all successful results are tracked in a central database throughout the skater's career.

A: Ontario figure skating competitions are divided into the STAR 1-4, STARSkate Provincial Series, and the Podium Pathway Sectional Series. The competition season typically runs from late summer through the spring, with registration for most events opening several months in advance. For more information please visit the Skate Ontario web page under Events. Each competition category, including adult categories, has specific technical requirements listed in the Skate Canada member's INFO Centre. If your skater wishes to compete, please speak to your coach.

A: Yes. Every participant needs to supply their own skates. Rentals are not available. Skaters who arrive without the proper equipment will not be allowed on the ice.

A: Yes. Skate Canada’s Helmet Use Policy requires a CSA-approved hockey helmet for CanSkate and Adult CanSkate skaters up to and including Stage 5. PreCanSkaters must also have a face cage on their helmets. Helmets must fit properly. Equipment is not provided and rentals are not available. Skaters who arrive without the proper equipment will not be allowed on the ice.

A: To provide effective protection, a helmet must be positioned correctly and secured firmly. If a helmet is too loose or tilted, it leaves the forehead or the base of the skull exposed to impact. The Forehead: The helmet must sit level on the head. It should sit low on the forehead, roughly one to two finger-widths above the eyebrows. The Back: The helmet must cover the lower part of the skull to protect the brainstem and upper neck area. Line of Sight: When looking upward, the wearer should be able to see the front edge of the helmet rim. See the video under our CanSkate program descriptions for proper helmet fit. 

A: Both figure skates and hockey skates are suitable for our learn to skate programs. Figure skates should be leather, lace-up skates. They should not be plastic and should not be flimsy in the ankle area. Moulded plastic skates with velcro or buckle closures are not recommended. Balance Blades and Grow With Me brands are not suitable for our programs. BobSkates with the double blade are not suitable for our programs. If your skater is interested in pursuing figure skating, we recommend having them start in figure skates as early as possible as there is a difference between figure skates and hockey skates. Figure skates are required for our Pre-Junior and higher programs.

AA: Yes. Skates should be sharpened after purchasing. Learn-to-Skate skaters should have their blades sharpened before each new season. If you notice any rust on the blade, or chips or dents on the blade from improper care, storage, or not using hard guards, you should sharpen the blade. Figure skates should be sharpened by figure skating experts and not by local sports stores or hockey stores. Hockey skates can be sharpened at local sports stores or hockey stores.

A: Registration is online through the CPSC website.​ To register, members must create a profile and then can add participants (the skaters) to their profile. Member profiles can have more than one participant. Please avoid creating duplicate profiles.

 A: Yes. CPSC’s registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and we encourage registering early especially for all CanSkate programs as they fill up quickly.

A: CPSC’s Payment Policy is to accept only credit cards for registration. Please contact CPSC if you have any issues with online registration.​

 A: The annual Skate Canada Membership fee is a mandatory, non-refundable fee running from September 1 to August 31. It covers the national and provincial fees, the insurance fee, the safe sport fee and is required for all skaters in Skate Canada sanctioned clubs. Each participant will be assigned a permanent Skate Canada number which can be used to access the Skate Canada membership site. This site houses extensive information and resources needed to make the most out of your membership with Skate Canada. Visit skatecanada.ca for more information.

A: If you request a return within 30 days of purchase and provide a receipt/proof of purchase, CPSC will credit your enrolment.​ If 30 days or more have passed since purchase, CPSC’s policy states it will refund your purchase price, and a credit will automatically be applied to your original method of payment if you are entitled to a return.​ To follow up on the status of a return, the policy directs members to call 416-855-0779.​

A: CPSC’s regular season runs from September to April.​ Fall sessions are September to December. Winter sessions are January to late March, early April. Spring and Summer sessions will be offered depending on rink availability.

A: Exemption days are listed on the website. You can also view exemption days in your family calendar through your online account or the general calendar on the main bar of the web site. We send out email and Instagram reminders a few days in advance. Be sure you are subscribed to get these emails.

A: CPSC sends emails and posts updates on the website homepage and its social media when closures affect programming.​

A: No. In the event that a participant is unable to attend a scheduled class, a make-up class will not be provided.

 A: Yes. A parent, guardian, or designated adult must remain in the arena at all times during the session for any skater aged 12 and under.

A: No. Parents are not permitted on the ice during their child’s session to allow the coaches to run the program properly and also for strict insurance reasons. If your child needs to come off the ice for any reason, a coach or assistant will bring them to the rink door. Please refrain from “coaching” your child from the sidelines as it can be confusing for the child, may cause a lack of their awareness on the ice, and the child likely cannot hear you due to the plexiglass barrier.

A: Ice etiquette is the set of simple behaviours that keep lessons safe and help everyone learn—especially in busy group sessions for advanced skaters.

A: Ice etiquette/ Code of Conduct

There are times it can be challenging to establish clear pathways for skaters to progress to the next level, therefore ice etiquette is important in developing skaters and how that ties into the overall growth and structure of CPSC. We strive to ensure that all skaters participating in our programs experience a respectful, safe, enjoyable and positive teaming environment. 

Coaches are to review ice etiquette to skaters, in particular to those moving from CANSkate to Pre-Junior and Junior to Intermediate to ensure safety for all skaters, and maintain the quality of the session. 

Skaters should remain alert at the rink at ALL times to their surroundings, and give right of way as follows:

• • Skater who is skating with program music 

  • Skater(s) who is in a private lesson/assessment 

Courtesy and good sportsmanship to coaches and fellow skaters is expected at all times. If you get in another skater’s way, please be polite and apologize. The skater who has the right of way may respectfully remind others of their presence, i.e. “excuse me” or “coming through”. Yelling will not be tolerated.

Do not stand still in the middle of the ice, if you do take a break make sure to stand by the board, and away from the LUTZ corners.

Look in the direction of travel when skating backwards.

Do not sit or lie down on the ice. If you fall, get up immediately.

Wearing of headsets/ earbuds on the ice is prohibited at all times.

Be alert of other skaters around you, watch for skaters who may skate in opposite direction exercise care when they may be doing their jumps.

Skaters failing to comply may result in being asked to leave the ice at the discretion of the coaches and/ or board members.

A: Program Assistants (PA) provide continuous support to our club's professional coaches. They are a role model to other skaters and also an essential part of our Learn-to-Skate programming at CPSC.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Lead or assist in warm ups, group activities and/or cool downs
• Lead or assist in the set up and clean-up of stations and circuits along with rotations
• Provide general assistance to the coaches on the session
• Encourage skaters and carry out a positive learning environment

Ideal assistants demonstrate enthusiasm, showing commitment and a positive attitude.

Training will take place at the beginning of the skating season.

Contributed time can be counted towards high school volunteer credits.

For more information, contact the CanSkate Coordinator cpskatingclub@gmail.com.

A: To become a coach with CPSC under Skate Canada, candidates must follow a structured pathway regulated by the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), beginning with the CanSkate program. Applicants must be at least 15 years of age, have passed at least one complete STAR 5 assessment, and be registered members of a Skate Canada club.

The process begins with the completion of two online modules, followed by a two-day in-person course. Upon completion of the course, a candidate is considered "In-Training" and may coach under supervision. To reach "CanSkate Certified" status, coaches must complete further multi-sport modules, and successfully submit a formal evaluation portfolio within a three-year window.

To maintain an active coaching license and remain in good standing, individuals must annually renew their Skate Canada registration, provide a clear background screening, hold a valid First Aid certificate, and complete Respect in Sport training. Once the CanSkate certification is achieved, coaches may choose to specialize further by pursuing the Regional, Provincial, or National coaching pathways. Visit Skate Canada for more information.