History

1st Sault Figure Skating Club Ice Show was in 1959. The theme was “Canada On
Skates” and was produced and directed by Zandra Harrison, the “club pro”.
A program cost .10 cents.
Membership that year was 170 skaters and attendance at the 1st show was over
2,000 people.
One member from the Board of Directors in 1959 is in attendance this evening, 50 years
later. Mrs. Janet Shannon, board member and costume mother, is the mother of Gloria,
Dianne, Andy (late), Peggy, Geraldine (known as Deanie), Ian and Larry. Mrs. Shannon
is also mother-in-law of coach Nelson Bellmore, grandmother of coach Lisa Bellmore and
great-grandmother of Sarah McLeod (skating in tonight’s show). The Shannon’s were
known to everyone as the skating family and have been the major reason for the
success of the Sault Club.
One skater in the 1st Ice Show who went on to become a National and International
skating judge was Jack Greenwood. Richard Vallee and Dianne Bellmore are also figure
skating judges and were part of the Sault Figure Skating Club right from the beginning.
The second show was produced and directed by Joan Atkinson and the Master of Ceremonies was George Jonescu. Attendance at this show was over 4,000 with a club membership of 250 skaters.
In 1964, Nelson Bellmore was the Guest Skater for the show.
In 1967/68 Nancy Pololski (Bertoni) was presented with the Faux Trophy for the most improved Intermediate skater of the year. Nancy is part of the alumni number 50 years later. Nancy skated pairs with Randy Coyne and they were 1971 Northern Ontario Junior Pair Champions and Canadian Competitors. In 1972, Nancy and partner Randy were presented the Rodman Trophy for the club’s most outstanding skater of the year. Nancy is presently a professional coach with the Sault Club.The 1st Sault Figure Skating Club Gold Medalist was Peggy Shannon (sister-in-law of Nelson Bellmore and sister to Dianne Bellmore). She attained gold medals in free dance and dance and was on her way to a gold medal in figures. In 1968, Peggy was the 1968 Northern Ontario Senior Ladies Champion and represented the Sault club at the Canadian Championships in Vancouver. Peggy was coached by Nelson Bellmore.
Nelson Bellmore became Senior Professional and Director of the Ice Show in 1967/1968. Triple Gold Medalist, Nelson was 1958, 1962, 1963 Northern Ontario Senior Men’s Champion and in 1963, competitor in Canadian Championship Competitions. Mr. Bellmore charged $2.50 for a 15 minute lesson his 1st year of coaching. Nelson continues to be Head Professional Coach at the Sault Club.
Guest skaters came from as far away as Tokyo when in 1969 Mr. Yutaka Higuchi, Japanese Gold Medalist guest skated at the Sault’s Ice Show. Other well known guest skaters included Gary Beacom, Brian Orser, Lloyd Eisler and many, many more.
Lynne Begin and Mark Gignac, coached by Nelson Bellmore, achieved outstanding accomplishments. They include: 1976 – 1st at Divisionals to qualify to Canadians, 1976 – Junior Pair Champions of Canada (1st), 1983 – 1st at Canadian Professionals, 1983 – Professional Silver Pair Medalist of the World (2nd) Spain. Lynne is a professional coach in the Algoma Region and is part of the alumni number.
Chris Rose, also coached by Nelson Bellmore, was the Novice Men Canadian National Champion in 1992.
In 1969, Marnie Stone was awarded the Prouse Trophy, most improved Pre-school skater. In 1978, Marnie was Northern Ontario’s Novice Ladies champion and 7th in Central Canadian Championships. Marnie is part of the alumni number 50 years later. Marnie was coached by Nelson Bellmore.
In 1971, Jean Simard (Gratton) was awarded the Linton Trophy, awarded to the most improved junior skater. In 1978, Jean, along with her dance partner Greg Wallace, were Junior Northern Ontario Dance Champions and 4th in Central Canadian Championships. Jean was coached by Nelson Bellmore, is a triple gold medalist in Figures, Dance and Free Dance and is currently coaching with the Sault Club and also part of the alumni number.
Kim Briel (Orr), also a coach with the Sault Club, was coached by Nelson Bellmore and was 1976 Northern Ontario Champion–Pre Juvenile Ladies, 1977 Regional Championships–Juvenile Ladies – 3rd,1978 Regional Championships–Pre-Novice Ladies – 2nd. A double gold medalist in Free Style and Dance, Kim is also participating in the alumni number.
Lisa Bellmore, daughter of Nelson and Dianne Bellmore and coached by Nelson, was Novice Ladies Northern Ontario Champion in 1986. From 1984 – 1986, Lisa qualified for the Central Divisionals in Novice and was a participant in Junior Ladies at Central Divisionals in 1987 and 1988. Lisa also coaches with the Sault Figure Skating Club, is a triple gold medalist in Free, Dance and Figures, and is an alumni participant.