April 2026 CIFSC Newsletter

Upcoming Events and News

April Dates

  • April 6 - Club Ice (Full members Aspire 1+ only) & Performance Team Practice

  • April 9 - Club Ice (High/Med 5-5:30, Low 5:30-6), Off Ice Class 5-5:20 and TPC Strength/Conditioning

  • April 13 - Club Ice (Full members Aspire 1+ only) & Performance Team Practice

  • April 16 - Club Ice (High/Med 5-5:30, Low 5:30-6), Off Ice Class 5-5:20 and TPC Strength/Conditioning; VOLUNTEER MEETING for the upcoming competition

  • April 20 - Club Ice (Full members Aspire 1+ only) & Performance Team Practice

  • April 23 - Club Ice (High/Med 5-5:30, Low 5:30-6), Off Ice Class 5-5:20 and TPC Strength/Conditioning

  • April 27 - Club Ice (Full members Aspire 1+ only)

  • April 30 - Club Ice (High/Med 5-5:30, Low 5:30-6), Off Ice Class 5-5:20 and TPC Strength/Conditioning

  • May 1-3 - Excel and Beyond Competition!!!!

Programs & Updates

  • May 1-3 - 5th Annual Excel and Beyond competition will be here in Bloomington! We have record numbers registered - with over 300 skaters and over 500 events. We will be using all 3 days of the competition and will need volunteers to help make this a success. Please plan to attend the Volunteer Meeting on April 16th during Club Ice. Here are the volunteer expectations:

    • JAM Families: 4 hours per family

    • Full Members: 8 hours per family

    • All Members: Please help bring in items for our hospitality rooms!

    • Note: A sign up genius will be released shortly after the schedule is availible!

  • The Arena ice will be removed beginning 5/11 and not be replaced until 9/20 which significantly limits our ability to secure Club Ice time. During May we will NOT have Monday Club Ice. Production team practice will shift to Thursdays during May and June, and we will let other groups know what that means for Club Ice once we have those decisions made.

  • Our Summer Exhibition will be 6/20 at 6:30 PM. This is going to be a really fun event where we plan to fundraise for our next season! Please plan to participate in this fun event!

Club Ice Updates

We are so excited that competition season is in full swing, and we have so many skaters competing! Club Ice once Mondays and Thursdays has been heavily utilized, making it difficult for skaters to use the ice and creating safety concerns. We have made some changes to Club Ice.

  • Monday Club Ice will continue to be for Full Members Aspire 1 and above. Production team will take priority for 30 minutes of the session, and skaters practicing programs will take priority for the other 30 minutes of the session.

  • Thursday Club Ice will now be split by level, with a 20-skater limit on the ice. This is for the safety of the skaters:

  • NEW: For Basic Skills and Aspire 1/2 Skaters, we are offering a FREE off-ice class from 5-5:20 with Coach Nadine. Come learn more about off-ice training! Please respond to this email if you are interested in this special class! Don't forget to bring tennis shoes!

  • 5-5:30 will be for full club members, Aspire 1 and above; Note: For Aspire 1/2, skaters have the option of which session to skate on. Please consider your level of awareness and comfort skating with higher level skaters as you decide which session to skate on. Aspire 1/2 skaters may be asked to switch to the 5:30 session.

  • 5:30-6:00 will be for Basic Skills/Aspire 1-2 skaters, with higher levels allowed on the ice if there is capacity (max 20 skaters) and with giving basic skills/Aspire 1-2 skaters the priority on the ice.

  • For Adult skaters - we trust you to make the best decision on which session is right for you.

  • Skaters in lessons with coaches can skate during their lesson time, regardless of these rules.

  • We are purchasing more visible safety jackets to wear when running programs. This will make it easier for skaters who are skating to see the skater running their programs so that they can move out of the way for the skater running their program. Note that if you are "on deck" to run your program, once you have the jacket on you need to stay on the side of the rink until your program is running. Having two skaters skating on the ice with the jacket is confusing to the other skaters. We also strongly encourage skaters to wear a black shirt/jacket or club jacket so that the bright vest is more visible.

  • We encourage skaters to be kind - if you are running your program and someone is in your way, please say "heads up".

  • We are going to have 1 parent running music during Club Ice, and ensuring that proper club ice rules are followed.

  • We will have a sign up for running programs. Note that coaches teaching in a lesson have priority to have their skater's music played during a lesson. There will be limits on how often a skater can play their music (e.g. 1 time during a busy session)

Summer and Fall Plans

While it’s early, it’s time to start thinking about Summer Skating! Here are some important updates:

  • Camp Sub Zero will be offered June 8-10 and 15-17 (just before the Summer Exhibition) and August 3-5 (after shutdown). This fun half-day skating camp runs 12-3:30, and is a great way to cool off during the summer heat! Skaters who sign up for the June session can work on their group routines for the Summer Exhibition during camp! This camp is geared towards Basic 5/6 -Aspire 4 skaters.

  • Freestyle sessions will continue to run 2:50-4:50 M-F until 6/19. Feel free to arrive early and do some off-ice practice, and take advantage of the time skating with friends! Summer is the time that skaters can make the MOST progress on their skills!

  • Summer Exhibition - 6/20 at 6:30 PM at the Bloomington Ice Center. More information will come soon on how to sign up for and support this exciting event!

  • The Annual Shutdown of the Bloomington Ice Center will be 6/22 - 8/1. Note that the Arena ice will also be shut down 5/11-9/20. We encourage skaters to keep skating over the break and throughout August! Here are some options:

    • Make plans to take lessons from your coach when they are teaching in Peoria! Freestyle schedules will be available closer to the summer and carpooling is a great option!

    • We plan to offer off-ice classes over the shutdown to keep our skaters practicing their skills. More information below in the BIC News section.

    • Peoria and Springfield are open over the summer, and are offering group classes. This is a great way to meet skaters from other clubs and learn new skills. Sign up isn’t up yet, but sharing the rough schedule so that you can plan:

      • Peoria Learn to Skate Classes are Tuesday/Thursday late afternoon/evening options approx 4:30-6 (youth and adult) and Wednesday mid-day (youth only)

      • Peoria Specialty Classes include Jump/Spin Tuesday/Thursday late afternoon (around 4:30) and Power Skate class is Thursday mornings (8:45 AM). There is usually freestyle before and/or after the classes so you can get some practice time in too!

      • Springfield classes will be shared when available.

BIC News


Sign up NOW:

Power & Edge Class (Aspire 1 and up)

Sunday's 10:00-10:45am 3/29-4/26 (not 4/5)

*Followed be an hour of freestyle 11:00am-12:00pm 

This high-energy Power & Edge class is designed for skaters of all ages looking to improve their edge quality, and control. Skaters will focus on developing stronger, cleaner edges while building endurance, speed, and flow across the ice.

Through structured drills, power stroking, edge sequences, and conditioning exercises, participants will strengthen their skating fundamentals and increase cardiovascular stamina. This class is ideal for skaters who want to enhance their turns, crossovers, and step sequences while gaining the strength and confidence.

Mark your Calendars Summer Sign Up 

Figure Skating ‘Camp Sub-Zero’ (Pre-requisite Blades 5/6)

Registration opens April 8th

The Bloomington Ice Center will be hosting the 12th annual summer skating camp! This 3-day figure skating camp will focus on: on-ice jump, spin technique, edge quality, and off-ice jumping! Your child will take part in an afternoon of on and off-ice training camp with Bloomington Ice Center’s professional coaching staff! Your skater will also receive a ½ hour of freestyle practice from 2:50-3:20pm, and camp T-shirt.

Session 1: 6/8-6/10

Session 2: 6/15-6/17

Session 3: 8/3-8/5

Time: 12:00-3:30PM (Drop off and pick-up at Ice Center)

Fee: $90

Registration opens April 8th

Off-Ice Jump and Strength Training Class

Mondays & Wednesdays 

7/6-7/22

10:00am-11:00am

Who says you need ice to work on your jumps? Join us on the rink slab during shutdown for an exciting Off-Ice Class! Each class will begin with dynamic stretching to increase flexibility and prevent injury, followed by targeted strength training to build the power and stability needed for stronger takeoffs and controlled landings. Skaters will then rotate through a high-energy circuit of stations designed to improve jump height, quickness, air position, and rotation.

Each week, every skater will also have the opportunity to train with the harness to build confidence and technique in a safe, supportive environment.

What to Bring:
• Athletic clothing, Gym shoes, Yoga Mat, Water bottle

Competition Corner

  • We are excited to announce that the following skaters are representing CIFSC in the FIRST annual Prairieland Inter-Club Series:

    • Noah G (Basic 2), Emily s (Basic 2), Cora H (Basic 3), Lucy S (Basic 5), Shayna Townsend (Basic 6), Elizabeth S (Basic 6 and Showcase), McKennah C (Aspire 1), Gigi S (Aspire 1), Jordan W (Aspire 1), Sofia C (Aspire 2), Harper O (Aspire 2), Felicity Y (Aspire 2 and Aspire 1-4 Showcase). Addison G (Aspire 3), Taylor W (Aspire 4 & Pre-Pre Showcase), Emma G (Excel Pre-Pre), Elisabeth P (Adult Pre-Bronze), Eleanor Shepherd (Basic Skills Showcase)

  • We are excited to announce that the following skaters are competing as part of our Excel Series Team: Jordan W (Aspire 1), McKennah Clem (Aspire 1), Gigi Swanson (Aspire 1), Sofia Chambers (Aspire 2), Emma G (Pre-Prelim), Megan Fennell (Prelim Plus), and Becca Kruse (Pre-Juv Plus)

    • Congratulations to the following skaters for their competitions in March!

    • Eloise B on her first Short Program IJS Score!

    • Emma and Violet for personal Best IJS Scores!

    • Violet and Clare for qualifying for Showcase Nationals!

    • Lucy for her first competition ever!

    • 1st Place Finishes:

    • 2nd Place Finishes:

    • 3rd Place Finishes:

  • Good luck to the following skaters competing in April!

    • Spring Thaw: A’Launiee, Addison, Clare, Elisabeth P, Elizabeth S, Eloise L, Emilia (First Competition!), Emily, Harper, Isla, Lucy, Noah, Shayna, Shiera (First Competition!0, Sofia

    • High School Team:

    • Ladybug: Anna, Eloise B, Emma, Gigi, McKennah, Sofia, Taylor