Minoru
About Connaught
A century of skating, still moving forward.
Founded in 1911, Connaught is the oldest skating club in British Columbia and the second oldest in Canada.
Coaching the next generationOur club
Built for skaters, powered by community.
Connaught is a non-profit Skate Canada member club serving young beginners, recreational skaters and competitive athletes. Parent volunteers, professional coaches and community partners work together to create a safe, ambitious and welcoming environment.
Volunteer ledFamilies help the club and its events run well.
Skater focusedPrograms support personal goals at every stage.
Our history
From Denman Arena to Richmond.
- 1911Founded at Denman Arena
Mrs. H. G. Ross establishes Connaught in Vancouver under the patronage of the Duke of Connaught.
- 1920sCompetitions and carnival shows
Connaught holds skating competitions and an annual carnival show at Denman Arena.
- 1936A new home
After Denman Arena is destroyed by fire, the club moves to the Pacific National Exhibition Forum.
- 1947Coaching pioneers arrive
World professional pair champions Albert and Sadie Enders begin coaching at Connaught, bringing leading singles, dance and pairs expertise to the club.
- 1965Connaught comes to Richmond
The club moves to Minoru Arena and begins its long relationship with the Richmond skating community.
- 1980Hosting B.C.’s best
Connaught hosts the 1981 B.C. Section Figure Skating Championships in December 1980.
- 2011One hundred years
The club marks a century since its founding and begins its second hundred years of skating.
- TodayA complete development pathway
Skaters train across three Richmond facilities in programs ranging from CanSkate to high performance.
Explore the record
Historical details are drawn from Connaught’s published club history, the City of Richmond Archives and Skate Canada’s Hall of Fame.
Our mission
To provide high-quality programs and opportunities that help skaters reach their personal goals, while pursuing excellence at every level of figure-skating development.