This letter is to express my gratitude to the Albert Lea Figure Skating Club’s board of directors, all of its members, Cathy Rofshus, the Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and also the City of Albert Lea for honoring me by renaming the Red Arena, the Carol Colstrup Arena. As a culmination of 50 years of coaching figure skating in Albert Lea, this is such a great honor. I am still having a hard time believing this is true.

Because the Albert Lea Figure Skating Club has had so many kind, talented, hard-working, energetic, children-loving people over these past 50 years, it undoubtedly will continue to succeed.

LeRoy Maas, founder of the ALFSC and recreation director here in Albert Lea at the time of the club’s formation, deserves a big thank you for his guidance and leadership, as do Betty Rake (deceased now) and her family and Suzanne Olson of Blue Earth, who have coached here almost 25 years. Thanks also to the many coaches who’ve driven long distances, in all kinds of weather, to coach here. The club has been very fortunate to have had many talented people with good strong leadership skills who have contributed to the success of the ALFSC.

To the past and present Albert Lea City Arena management, secretaries, supervisors and staff, thank you for being so trustworthy, cooperative and dependable for all of us, my family, the skaters of the ALFSC, the LTS program, the home-schoolers and others. Thanks for finding misplaced coffee cups, CDs, gloves and notebooks, for typing up our programs, doing art work and finding ice for us for tests and competitions.

Thanks also to the generous merchants, service organizations and individuals who have donated money, time, paints, gifts for our fundraisers, use of their facilities for breakfasts and fundraisers, for sewing costumes, designing and building back drops and flood lights.

The Albert Lea Tribune, KATE Radio, Austin, Mason City and Cableview TV are also much appreciated, for their kind words of recognition, for being there to get the word out to the public in regard to our shows, registrations, accomplishments and cancellations. We knew we could count on you.

Last, but not least, I would like to thank my husband and family and also my sister Patty Gjersvik’s family for all their support during these past fun years of skating. They grew up with the costume and paper messes, phone calls and editing music, but were still willing to help with backdrops, lugging and occasionally, filled in as a skating partner, Santa Claus or a special character. Also thanks to my mom for teaching me to sew and my dad who taught me to skate.

The many happy times and friends we’ve made while skating together, in both figure skating and hockey, will forever be cherished. I hope my family, and you and yours, will continue to enjoy many magical moments gliding over the ice here in beautiful, fabulous, Albert Lea, as the years roll on.

Thanks again and happy skating.

 

Carol Colstrup

Albert Lea