Shirley Anne Furlong

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Shirley  Furlong
Builder

Induction Award:

 Many people in the Elmvale area have Shirley Furlong to thank for their skating skills. With the help of the Elmvale and District Lions Club, Shirley Furlong created the Elmvale Figure Skating Club. This allowed local skaters a place to learn the sport at a very low cost and with far less travel. Shirley’s organizational skills led to the creation of the Elmvale Figure Skating Carnival, an annual event that showcased the teachings of the club and the talent of the skaters. Shirley’s hard work and determination has forever changed a community; many skaters can attest to that.

Member Details:

Category: Builder
Year of Induction: 2024
Sport: Skating
Nominator: Angela Mae Kirton
Date/ Place of Birth: June 7th, 1932, Toronto, On.
Resides: Wasaga Beach, On.

Highlights:

5. 1964: Instrumental in the Founation of the Elmvale Figure Skating Club
5. 1973: Helped to bring back Ladies Softball to Elmvale

 

Narrative:

 Shirley was approached by Percy Frankcom of the Elmvale and District Lions Club about starting a club for local skaters. Thus, in 1964, the Elmvale Figure Skating club was born. The parents of young figure skaters in the area, Shirley included, had been taking their children into Barrie for lessons. Having a skating club in Elmvale gave many young skaters an opportunity that they may not have otherwise had.

           The Lions club was the founding sponsor of the Elmvale Figure Skating Club; they paid for the ice time. Lessons with the club were $0.25/lesson with two lessons per week. Shirley volunteered her time to organise everything and other mothers assisted her with operations. As the head of the club, Shirley helped to develop the Figure Skating Carnival, an annual event that showcased what the young skaters had learned throughout the year as well as featuring local skaters with exceptional talent. Shirley and the other mothers sewed costumes, painted the ice, and decorated the arena.

           Shirley’s figure skating club not only provided a place for young figure skaters to learn, but also for young hockey players to hone their skating abilities. Children younger than 5 could now learn to skate before taking hockey lessons, which greatly improved their overall performance on the ice. Shirley’s commitment and passion for skating and helping the youth in her community was instrumental in so many young people learning the sport.

Quotes:

Angie Kirton  made the following observations as found on Shirley's  Nomination Form----
Shirley "...is deserving of this award because she silently and tirelessly devoted her life beyond herself.  No Press!   No clippingd!   No articles!  No Fan Fare! 
She simply saw a need and made it happen!!!"

Galleries:

Link to Inductees' Galleries

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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