Speed skating 
club works out 
at Skate Castle

A group of Newton area girls have been gathering at the Skate Castle the last few months, fulfilling their need for speed. The Skate Castle Speed Club is working hard to improve their times in hopes of eventually competing throughout Iowa.

Under the direction of coach Gary Hussey, the 17 girls currently on the team are benefiting from the athletic sport in a couple of ways.

“They are working to build up their endurance and it provides some competition for the team,” Hussey said. “Most of them aren’t in any other team.”

The team formed last November, and Hussey said it will take them about four to six months for them to become competitive with other teams. Eventually they hope to hold matches with other area speed skating teams, such as the one in Des Moines.

For now, though, the girls are working up to 300 laps during practice, building up endurance.

Off the hardwood, the team is holding a series of fundraisers, earning money for uniforms, skates and helmets. They plan a car wash later this spring, and Domino’s Pizza will hold a fundraiser for the team in April. Plus, the team is looking for a sponsor.

Hussey said the team is planning for its first speed meet in July, and later on an outdoor speed skating event may be in the works.

Anyone who would like to join the Skate Castle Speed Club, or the boys’ team that is forming, should call the Skate Castle at 791-7465, or call Hussey’s cell phone at 515-991-8604