05-023: The Dawson Creek Speed Skating Club

[From information by Mrs. Pat Underhill] The Dawson Creek Speed Skating Club began in the fall of 1956. Mrs. Pat Underhill arrived in Dawson Creek from Calgary, in September of 1955 and immediately began organization of the sport. After the arena was re-opened — it had been closed for a time to allow installation of artificial ice — Mrs. Underhill made arrangements with Mr. Leoppky, Canucks goalie Dave Leoppky’s father, for ice time. Some of the first members were Fay Vandergrift (Clease), Terry Meeres, and Leonard Pever. Archie Field, Bud Geer, and Pat Underhill were the executive until 1960, when official officers were established. Archie Field became President, Bud Geer was treasurer, and Mrs. Underhill was secretary and coach.

On December 24, 1956 the arena was gutted by fire and the club was left looking for new ice. Mr. Underhill built a skating oval at McQueen’s Lake, several miles north of town. Mr. McQueen assisted with maintenance duties. The club operated there for a time with their coach also undergoing extensive training for her bid in the World Championships to be held in Finland in 1957. New members arrived at the new oval — Lorna and Gail Scott, Jocelyn Krug, and Sharon Cameron, to name a few.

During their first year of operation the Lion’s Club of the city purchased crests for them, but that was their only financial assistance until 1958. With new members appearing steadily a new oval was needed. Bud Geer approached Canadian Freightways for assistance and with their help a new oval was built in 1958. Mr. and Mrs. Underhill, Terry Meeres, and Peter Elmgren built an eight-lap track on the present site of city hall. The Dawson Creek Fire Dept. offered the use of their hoses to flood the track. Later, in the early 1960’s, another new oval was built on its present day site behind the arena. Local volunteers also built a dressing room adjacent to the oval. The city took over maintenance duties.

Dawson Creek has a unique position in the organization of speed skating in Western Canada. Red Deer, Alberta is believed to be the first club formed, with Dawson Creek the second and Edmonton third. But Dawson Creek was the founder of the B. C. Speed Skating Association. It was formed in 1956 with Bud Geer as president, making this city the centre of speed skating in B. C. Also, many of the original members here have formed clubs elsewhere. Pat Underhill was involved in Calgary, Mr. Shields set up a club in Esquimalt and Clara and Howard Overend have begun clubs in Mission and Abbotsford. Terry Meeres and Joan Tod moved to Vancouver and began a club there, and Millie Bodnar started one in Fort St. John. Fort St. John was the second member of the B.C.S.S.A.

Also, Dawson Creek has produced a number of champions and has had the largest club going. By 1965 there were 127 registered members in the local club. Dawson Creek has hosted the first Canadian Indoor Meet and in 1966 played host to the Canadian Outdoor.

In 1964 the club had three Canadian Champions: Gail Scott, Donna McLeod, and Cathy Rome and there have been many outstanding skaters such as Tom Overend, Terry Hadland, Joan Tod and Beverly Bumstead, to mention just a few.