1920s – Local speed skaters in KW, small number with interest in the sport

1963 – Notice placed in the KW Record by the KW Sertoma Service Club. The Sertoma Club wished to sponsor a worthwhile sports project. Ontario Amateur Speed Skating Association president Joe Huibers of St. Catharines, Ontario, with John Jurdis and Dennis Laverty, executive members of the Association, took the notice and persuaded the Sertoma Club to host the 1963 Canadian Outdoor Championships in the KW area. Lacking a competitive club, the group still held a very successful 1963 Outdoor event, and through appeals to local youth, they entered eight skaters in this meet. The meet was held on a six lap track put on Victoria Lake in downtown Kitchener.

1970s – Planert, along with Joe Hanje (Ebele’s brother) and Patti Hoch, skated in Europe as Canadian Association team members in the early 1970’s. Joe and Patti became members of the Club. Planert later turned to coaching – two years in China and later with skaters in Calgary, Alberta.

Martin Deutschlander, a local skater, entered as a Junior, borrowing a pair of racing skates four days before the competitions. Martin won a third place medal in one final and placed fourth in another. An amazing accomplishment for someone who had never seen a racing skate a week earlier.

Ebele Hanje, another KW area skater, entered the Senior Men’s class using a pair of Dutch wooden strap-on skates.

1967 – DeGroot, Wiese, Bryant and Klayer were on the Ontario Team at the original Winter Games in Quebec with Planert as chief timer of the event.

1968 – Greg Peterson won the Canadian Outdoor Championship Junior title in Saskatchewan. Bill Plauntz and Jack Battler retired and Bob Planert took over as coach, with Gerry Haack as secretary-treasurer. Planert had been an associate member of the skating club from the start, acting as an official and helping with transportation to various meets.

1969 – This season saw the arrival of additional coaches Jeff Crebolder and Tony Byyank, as well as the very welcome addition of Marcia Parson, former Olympic Team member from Alberta. Marcia, a school teacher, skated for the club and encouraged several of her students to join.

1971 to 1978 – the following members won or tied Canadian Short Track or Long Track titles: Marcia Backner Parson, Gerald Dickey, Patti Hoch and Ann McLaughlin. Patti Hock, Liz Ellenton, Darrell Haack and Ian Hennigar were on the Ontario Team at the 1975 Canada Games. Hoch, Terry Rektor, Bob Crebolder and Gerry Haack were local club members on the 1971 Ontario Canada Games team.

1980 – The club moved to the Conestoga College rink

2001 – Waterloo’s RIM Park complex was built and consideration was given to the club, as described in the City of Waterloo archives. The club has called RIM Park’s Lion’s Arena rink home since the facility opened. The complex provides our club with permanent and convenient ice-side storage for the large mats that are necessary for skater safety at practices and meets.

2014 – The KW Sertoma Speed Skating Club celebrates its 50^th anniversary!