Park & Rec to offer popular 'learn to skate' program

Date: 1/4/2011

Jan. 3, 2011

By Chris Maza

Reminder Assistant Editor

WILBRAHAM — For the second year in a row, the Wilbraham Parks and Recreation Department is giving residents a chance to learn to skate with world-renowned figure skaters.

Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov are once again offering their Olympic "Fever on Ice" program, beginning Jan. 8, at the Enfield Twin Rinks and have teamed up with Wilbraham to give interested citizens the opportunity to get in on the fun.

"Melissa and Denis put together this program to help people learn to skate," Merrie Kaye, Administrative Assistant of the Parks and Rec. Department, said. "They contacted our department and other departments to see if we wanted to be linked in with them."

Gregory and Petukhov, who are skating partners, as well as husband and wife, are four-time silver medalists at the U.S. National Championships. They also competed in the 2006 Olympic Games in Torino, Italy.

Gregory and Petukhov now make their home in Hartford, Conn. and conduct programs such as this one, as well as coaching and choreographing for other competitive skaters.

The program runs for five weeks on Saturdays from 5:20 to 6:10 p.m. and is open to children of all ages and ability levels.

"We ran this program last year and it was very successful. We got a lot of good feedback on it," Kaye said. "It's good for beginners to learn the fundamentals of skating and for more experienced skaters to build on what they already know."

Those interested have three options for registration. You can go to the Parks and Rec. office, located at 45C Post Office Park, or use one of two online options.

The first online option is a secure registration on the town's ActiveNet online registration, which can be found at http://activenet7.active.com/wilbrahamrec/?redir=1 or through a link on the Wilbraham Parks and Rec. Web site at http://www.wilbraham-ma.gov/Pages/WilbrahamMA_Parks&Rec/index .

The second online option is to download a registration form in .pdf format and mail it to the Parks and Rec. Department. The registration form can be found at http://www.wilbraham-ma.gov/Pages/WilbrahamMA_Parks&Rec/classes

The fee for the clinic is $107 for Wilbraham residents. Those from out of town who would like to sign up through Wilbraham Parks and Rec. may also do so at a cost of $117.

For more information on Gregory and Petukhov, visit www.gregoryandpetukhov.com