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2 Sports & Leisure, Thursday, February 18, 2010 Happy Birthday Tracie Love Frazer & Sofie Captain l eading troops leading to t o playoffs! Su Sun und nda ay, Feb. ay Fe Fe eb b. 2 b. Sunday, 21 at 2:00 Day Five-year-olds (from left) Wade Darby, Gavin Masse and Ryan Scutt go for a spin around the ice at the Mold-Masters SportsPlex on the new Ice Scooters that can be found at the three arena buildings in Halton Hills. The plastic devices are designed to help youngsters or beginners to safely find their stride on skates. Photo by Eamonn Maher Novice skaters having a `scoot' By EAMONN MAHER Staff Writer Thinking of learning how to skate? The three arenas in Halton Hills recently replaced their old "skate-aids" with 30 Ice Scooters, a moulded plastic device that provides something more to lean on for beginners on the blades. Weighing 15 pounds each at a height of just over two feet, the Ice Scooter was designed by Richmond, B.C. company Kez Recreational Products and is being snapped up by municipalities across Canada. "What I like about the scooters is that you're right in the middle of the skate-aid and it wraps around your body for better support, whereas with the old ones, you pushed it in front of you like a chair," said Mold-Masters SportsPlex facility supervisor Stephen Norris. "We were always fixing or replacing the old ones so for us, it's much better because it's not taking guys away from other tasks. We're getting good response from the users because these things are sturdier, safer and more durable." Fifteen Ice Scooters, purchased for $115 apiece, are available for use at the dual ice pads at the SportsPlex, with the others split between Acton and Memorial Arenas. Norris said the scooter might be a little too big for use by tots age four and younger, but they've been popular with novices learning to develop strength and balance on their skates. "These are great for the kids," said mom Rachael Scutt, whose five-year-old son Ryan takes part in the weekly adult preschool skating sessions at Mold-Masters SportsPlex. Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7:00 sday $10 thur night! Sunday, Feb. 28 at 12:00 Start time has been changed to noon to avoid conflict with men's Olympic gold medal hockey game. Cody Hodgson Purchase tickets online at www.battalionhockey.com ba attalionhockey.com or Battalion Headquarters Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone (905) 874-2393 ATHLETES of the week Acton High School Christ the King G.D.H.S Brittany Walsh Nicole Merritt Caraline Hale Holden Vetro Alex Garvey Mitch Racinsky Acton District High School Athletes of the Week are Brittany Walsh and Nicole Merritt. Both are members of the Bearcats swim team and recently competed at the Haltons at McMaster. Merritt led her tram to a first place finish in the 200 metre medley relay, and made up a full length in the swim to finish with a 2:35 time. Walsh qualified for GHAC in the 100 metre backstroke, with a 1:36 time. Georgetown District High School Athletes of the Week are Alex Garvey and Mitch Racinsky. Garvey, a small forward on the junior Rebels basketball team, was selected for his 23 points against Bishop Reding. Racinsky, a point guard on the senior Rebels basketball team was chosen for his 8 points against Bishop Reding. Christ the King Catholic High School Athletes of the Week are Caraline Hale and Holden Vetro. Both are members of the Jaguars' swim team, and Hale was selected for her 6th place finish in the 4X100 freestyle relay at the Haltons. Vetro was cited for his 1st overall in the 50 metre freestyle with a 26.61 time and 2nd in the 50 butterfly with a 29.3 time. SPORTS EXCHANGE Georgetown's Source for NEW and USED Sports Equipment! Casual Skating ·New & Used Skates ·New & Used Helmets ·Childrens "Push-along" Skating Aids Trade-Ins Accepted. LACROSSE ·WARRIOR ·RBK ·HARROW ·STX ·CASCADE ·DeBEER ·BRINE 68 Main St. N. (Hwy. 7) Georgetown MOORE PARK PLAZA 905-873-0176