Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club

What Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club does

Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club (KWSC) is a non-profit, Skate Canada sanctioned skating club founded in 1938 and headquartered at the Carolyn Fedy Skating Centre within RIM Park in Waterloo, Ontario. The club serves more than 3,500 members — self-described as Canada's largest skating club — and delivers programming at 10 rink locations across Kitchener and Waterloo. KWSC offers a comprehensive multi-disciplinary portfolio covering Learn-to-Skate (CanSkate, Parent & Tot, Teen/Adult/Adaptive CanSkate), Figure Skating (singles, pairs, dance, and synchronized skating from Intro-STAR through Competitive Academy), Power Skating for hockey and ringette players (via the Twin City Hockey Skating School), Synchronized Skating (Dynicety), Adult programs, and school-based CanSkate@School delivery, plus off-ice training through The Rotation Room and The Athletic Centre.

The underlying technology stack is modest and primarily operational: the Uplifter Inc. membership and registration platform (members.kwsc.org) handles online enrollment, participant management, family accounts, and payment processing. Programming is taught by Skate Canada trained and certified professional coaches, supported by a Technical Director, an Executive Director, and a volunteer Board of Directors. The club has produced Olympic medalists (Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir; Kirsten Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch), World Champions, and Canadian Champions across all disciplines.

Revenue is generated through seasonal program registration fees (Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer), an annual Skate Canada membership fee of $62.70 per skater, drop-in ice session fees, guest skating fees for non-members, synchronized skating program fees (e.g., $147-$189 per season), and event-based income from the biennial Ice Show, Summer Camp, and Awards Banquet. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the Uplifter platform, supplemented by community-led outreach through CanSkate@School, KPMG-sponsored school programming, fee-assistance partnerships (Canadian Tire Jump Start, KidSport Kitchener Waterloo, City of Waterloo Leisure Access Program), and event-driven engagement. KWSC operates exclusively within the Kitchener-Waterloo region and reports no external investors or parent company.

Name

Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club

Legal name

Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club

Website

https://kwsc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club is a non-profit, Skate Canada sanctioned skating club founded in 1938 and self-described as Canada's largest, serving 3,500+ members across the Kitchener-Waterloo region with learn-to-skate, figure skating, power skating, synchronized skating, and adult and adaptive programs delivered at 10 rink locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Skating instruction and figure skating club services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Winter Sports Teams/Clubs (Ski, Snowboard, Bobsleigh, etc.) (MPAKABAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Winter Sports & Snow Training Schools (Ski, Snowboard, Ice Sports) (MPAKAJAI)

Keywords

• Learn-to-skate programs
• Figure skating training
• Power skating lessons
• Synchronized skating teams
• Skating club membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Waterloo

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Registration Fees: Seasonal registration fees for Learn-to-Skate, Figure Skating, Power Skating, Synchronized Skating, and Adult programs. Programs are organized into seasons (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer) with separate registration periods. Additional private lesson coach fees billed separately.
2. Skate Canada Membership Fee: Annual Skate Canada membership fee of $62.70 per skater (September 1 to August 31). Required for all registered skaters as KWSC is a Skate Canada sanctioned club.
3. Drop-In Session Fees: Drop-in ice session fees for members wanting to skate on additional sessions: $12 for Open Sessions (Fall/Winter/Spring), $15 for Single Programmed Session, $25 for Double Programmed Session. Summer drop-ins available on Open Sessions and STAR 16+.
4. Guest Skating Fees: Non-member guest skating fees for STAR/Competitive figure skaters from other clubs: $21 Open Sessions, $28 Single Programmed Session, $35 Double Programmed Session. Requires Guest Skating Request Form and Technical Director approval.
5. Synchronized Skating Registration: Synchro Skills program fees including Youth Synchro Skills at $189 and Adult Synchro Skills at $147 per season.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club (KWSC) is a not-for-profit skating club that delivers year-round skating instruction across learn-to-skate (CanSkate), figure skating (singles, pairs, dance, synchronized), power skating for hockey and ringette players, adaptive skating, adult programs, and off-ice training. Programs are taught by Skate Canada certified coaches and delivered across 10 rink locations in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.

Product overview

The Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club (KWSC) is Canada's largest skating club offering a comprehensive suite of skating programs and services year-round. The club operates primarily from the Carolyn Fedy Skating Centre at RIM Park in Waterloo, Ontario, with Learn-to-Skate programs offered at multiple rink locations throughout Kitchener and Waterloo. The core offering consists of Learn-to-Skate (including CanSkate, Parent & Tot, Teen/Adult CanSkate, Adaptive CanSkate, Gold Group, and CanSkate@School), Figure Skating (with pathways from Intro-STAR through Competitive Academy including singles, pairs, and dance), Power Skating via Twin City Hockey Skating School, Synchronized Skating (Dynicety), and Adult programs. Supporting offerings include The Rotation Room (off-ice training center), The Athletic Centre, Drop-In Sessions, Test Days, Spring Enrichment programs, special events (Ice Show, Awards Banquet, Summer Camp), and Guest Skating. Programs are organized into four seasonal blocks (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer) and are taught by Skate Canada certified professional coaches.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Twin City Hockey Skating School (TCHSS): Power skating programs offered by KWSC for hockey and ringette players in the Region of Waterloo.

Products and services

• Learn-to-Skate Programs (CanSkate)
• Figure Skating Programs (STARSkate and Competitive)
• Power Skating Programs (Twin City Hockey Skating School)
• Synchronized Skating (Dynicety)
• Adult Skate for Life Programs
• Adaptive CanSkate
• CanSkate@School
• The Rotation Room in Kitchener Waterloo (TRR KW)
• KWSC Ice Show
• KWSC Figure Skating Summer Camp
• Skater and Volunteer Awards Banquet
• Drop-In Ice Sessions
• Test Days
• Spring Enrichment Program
• Competitive Pairs Program
• High Competitive Singles Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Produced Olympic medalists, World Champions, and multiple Canadian Champions across singles, pairs, dance, and synchronized skating
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Skate CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational sport organization for skating that sanctions KWSC as a member club. KWSC must register all skaters with Skate Canada and operates under Skate Canada certified coaches and Skate Ontario provincial governance. Skate Canada provides the CanSkate curriculum, testing framework, and competitive pathways.
• Skate OntariocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial sport organization for skating providing competitive event calendars, coach certification, synchronized skating series, and the CanSkate Excellence Recognition Program in which KWSC earned 'Exceeded Standard' status.
• KPMG CanadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRenewed sponsorship supporting the CanSkate@School program, helping bring skating education to local school children through KWSC-delivered programming.
• City of WaterloocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of KWSC Ice Show and partner for the Fee Assistance Leisure Access Program for Waterloo residents. Also partnered for City of Waterloo Power Camp and pre-season power skating clinics.
• Canadian Tire Jump StartminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational funding program providing fee assistance for low-income families to participate in KWSC skating programs. Families apply online and provide proof of submission to KWSC for program registration.
• KidSport Kitchener WaterloominorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal chapter of national program providing grants to cover KWSC program fees for low-income families. KWSC coordinates directly with KidSport for payment of invoices.
• WalterfedyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor of the 2025 KWSC Ice Show.
• Straight StreetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor of the 2025 KWSC Ice Show.
• The Rotation Room in Kitchener Waterloo (TRR KW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovative off-ice training center for figure skaters operated in partnership with KWSC, offering high-quality training opportunities in an inclusive, safe, and fun environment. KWSC refers skaters to TRR for off-ice conditioning and training.
• Twin City Hockey Skating School (TCHSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWSC-operated power skating program serving the Region of Waterloo with CanPowerSkate lessons for hockey and ringette players. Offered year-round with action-packed, high energy training focused on balance, power, agility, speed, and endurance.
• Cambridge RedhawksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter of KWSC synchronized skating programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club: Historic Toronto-based multi-discipline sports club sanctioned by Skate Canada offering figure skating and curling programs with a comparable heritage model (volunteer board, membership-based, competitive pathways) and similar reliance on partner-operated facilities.
• Hamilton Skating Club: Skate Canada sanctioned figure skating club in Hamilton, Ontario offering CanSkate, STARSkate, and competitive programs serving a regional Ontario market — directly comparable operating model and member profile to KWSC.
• Mississauga Skating Club: Skate Canada sanctioned figure skating club in the Greater Toronto Area offering CanSkate, STARSkate, and competitive pathways with similar scale and community-club structure to KWSC.
• Winnipeg Skating Club: Manitoba-based Skate Canada sanctioned figure skating club providing learn-to-skate, figure skating, and synchronized skating programs — directly comparable community-based instructional and competitive club to KWSC.
• Nepean Skating Club: Skate Canada sanctioned figure skating club in the Ottawa region offering CanSkate, STARSkate, competitive, and synchronized skating programs — directly comparable operating model to KWSC and competing for similar athlete development pipelines in Eastern Ontario.
• Calalta Figure Skating Club: Skate Canada sanctioned figure skating club based in Calgary, Alberta offering learn-to-skate through competitive programs with a similar volunteer governance and membership structure to KWSC.
• Connaught Skating Club: Long-established Skate Canada sanctioned figure skating club in Vancouver, BC offering CanSkate, STARSkate, and competitive programs with a comparable community-club operating model to KWSC.
• Club de patinage artistique de Gatineau: Quebec-based Skate Canada sanctioned figure skating club offering learn-to-skate, figure skating, and synchronized skating programs — comparable instructional and competitive club model to KWSC.

Broad incumbents

• Granite Club: Large private members' sports and recreation club in Toronto offering figure skating and CanSkate programs within a broader multi-sport portfolio (fitness, tennis, aquatics, dining); overlaps with KWSC on instructional skating but serves a much wider recreational use case.

Others

• YMCA of Kitchener-Waterloo: Regional community recreation organization in the same Kitchener-Waterloo market that competes for family leisure dollars and partners with KWSC on accessibility programs (e.g., fee assistance) — adjacent rather than direct competitor but addresses overlapping consumer demand for youth activity programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClOxfxRnD4UW4FitkrwFEww
• Facebookfacebook.com/kwskatingclub
• Instagraminstagram.com/kwskatingclub
• Xx.com/kwskatingclub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kitchener-waterloo-skating-club

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club