Dear Calalta Members,
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our recent club survey. With a 36% response rate, the level of engagement from our community is incredibly meaningful and reflects the passion and commitment that continues to shape Calalta. If you participated (and shared your email), your volunteer hour credit will be applied to your account by April 30.
As we look ahead to the next Olympic cycle (2027–2030), this feedback is an important step in helping us better understand where we are today and where we have the opportunity to grow.
For more than 65 years, Calalta has evolved because of the people who make up our club. This survey reinforced that our strength continues to come from our skaters, families, coaches, and volunteers – and your voices are helping guide what comes next.
What we heard from you
Across all questions, several consistent themes emerged:
1. Ice Access and Scheduling is the #1 Priority
The most frequent and consistent feedback across the survey was the need for more ice availability and flexibility. Members are looking for:
- Increased access across all levels, particularly for intermediate and senior skaters
- Scheduling that better accommodates working families (including evenings, mornings, and weekends)
- Longer and more consistent training blocks
- Improved management of cancellations and replacement ice
2. Strong Coaching, with a Desire for Greater Alignment
Our coaching team is seen as a key strength and one of the primary reasons families choose Calalta. At the same time, members are looking for:
- Greater consistency in coaching standards and expectations
- More collaboration and alignment across the coaching team
- Increased transparency in areas such as coach assignment and athlete development pathways
3. Communication and Transparency Matter
There is a clear desire for:
- More regular and consistent communication
- Clear expectations for skaters and families
- Ongoing feedback on athlete development and progress
4. Program Development Opportunities
Members shared opportunities to continue strengthening our programming, including:
- Expanded off-ice and athletic development opportunities
- More structured progression across levels
- Growth in specific disciplines such as synchro, dance, and adult programming
- Better grouping of skaters by skill level to maximize development
5. Culture is a Strength – and a Priority to Protect
One of the most encouraging findings is the strong sense of community within Calalta. Members consistently highlighted:
- A positive, supportive environment
- Pride in being part of the club
- The importance of maintaining a culture that values sportsmanship, respect, and enjoyment of the sport
At the same time, there is a clear opportunity to continue strengthening this culture through:
- Collaboration across the coaching team
- Recognition of skaters and volunteers
- A shared commitment to athlete development
6. What Success Looks Like for Our Skaters
When asked what skills are most important for skater success, the responses were remarkably aligned. The top themes included:
- A strong athletic foundation (including off-ice training)
- Coachability and willingness to learn
- Resilience and perseverance
- A genuine love of skating
- Strong technical skills, supported by goal setting and discipline
This reinforces that success at Calalta is viewed as both performance-based and values-driven.
What’s next
The Board and leadership team will now take the time to review these insights in detail as we begin shaping our strategic priorities for the next four years. For those that expressed an interest in participating in a focus group, stay tuned!
At this stage, we are focused on listening and understanding. Future communications will share how this feedback translates into clear priorities and actions.
Thank you again for your time, your honesty, and your continued commitment to Calalta. Your input is helping shape the future of our club – and we are grateful to have such an engaged and thoughtful community.
Sincerely,
Diana Peters
Chair