By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer 

PELHAM—Since the Pelham Civic Center and Ice Complex opened 1997, it has been home to the 54-year-old Birmingham Figure Skating Club. The team hosts two competitions in Pelham; one is the upcoming Magic City Ice Classic from July 31 to Aug. 2.

Cindy Harper, president of the Birmingham Figure Skating Club (BFSC), said there are about 120-150 members in the club, including past and current skaters, parents and coaches. To become a member, children and adults begin in the basic skills classes at Pelham Skate School.

The more you progress, the more the opportunities you have to learn, compete and train with private instructors. Once a skater begins training with a personal trainer they become a member, affiliated with the U.S. Figure Skating Organization.

According to Harper, some skaters are more involved with others. Some prefer to be more recreational skaters, competing in lower level competitions every year, and others train for 20 or more hours a week.

“We’re undergoing a real regrowth of the organization,” Harper said.  “We don’t have a ton of upper level skaters right now.”

The club does, however, have one skater training at Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex in Tampa, Fla.  Aly McDougal and her partner Paul Schatz competed in the nationals last years as junior pairs and will be competing in senior pairs this year.

There are about 10-15 skaters who are at the level where they can compete at qualifying competitions such as regionals, sectionals and nationals.

“In general, not all U.S. Figure Skating Clubs’ (members) are supportive of each other,” Harper said. “We kind of pride ourselves of being a family of being supportive of each other. Everybody will cheer and congratulate them.”

BFSC also has a junior board that is open to all 10 to 18-year-olds. The board usually meets monthly to plan noncompetitive events, such as Halloween or masquerade parties and introduction clinic like theatre on ice. In addition to creating games, those members are big volunteers at all the events.

“They really love that,” Harper said.

The club’s next fun activity is a special clinic called Grassroots to Champions. It will feature high-level coaches, who have trained Olympians, holding workshops and working alongside the other coaches. It will take place Aug. 3 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.bhamfsc.org.