By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club members enjoy some fellowship. |
After about
a 12 day stretch in the middle of February that had daily temperatures colder
than -25 C, people rushed back to the ski trails that run across the Glenn
Reeve Fields and to the ice surface at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval.
Folks wanted to get in their last uses of both facilities as the winter season
wound to an end.
On March 2, the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club came with a sizeable group of its membership to the trails at Glenn Reeve Fields. They seemed to give the trails a sendoff skiing in a fun atmosphere throughout the day.
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| A trio of skiers heads down a trail in classic ski form. |
The second
photo sees a trio of younger skiers making their way across the trails in
classic ski form. The third photo sees a trio of slightly more veteran skiers returning to the
main area of the trails at the Glenn Reeve Fields after going on a longer
jaunt.
Over the past six years, the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club has made great use of these trails. The club uses these trails frequently as a place to train junior aged skiers. The organization has hosted its annual Loppetapalooza event and the Saskatchewan Provincial Cross Country Ski Championships here.
Along with the pictures of skiing across the Glenn Reeve Fields, this photo roundup includes other scenes from the Oval and the Indoor Training Centre.
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| A trio of skiers head to the main area of the Glenn Reeve Fields trails. |
The
pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on
our grounds. In this photo roundup, all of these pictures were taken by our
Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke.
Without
further ado, here is a selection of 13 shots we hope you enjoy.
Gun it
A catcher from the Twin City Angels U17A team fires a throw to second base attempting to throw out a base runner during a practice on February 10 at the Indoor Training Centre. While they sharpen up their skills in their sessions, the Angels enjoy the vibe of the indoor facility.
Fun with technology
Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy coach Logan Hofmann, centre, checks out some statistics with some players on a device that measures hitting analytics on February 12 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Berries were ending the session seeing if they could hit personal bests in various hitting analytics.
Special delivery
A pitcher from the Going Yard Baseball Academy sets to fire a strike across home plate during a training session at the Indoor Training Centre on February 12. Going Yard runs various pitchers’ sessions where they work on all aspects of a hurler’s game including skills and strength building.
All-out effort
A Saskatoon Selects player stretches out to make a diving catch during a drill on February 20 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Selects sharpen up a variety of skills during their training sessions including working on the most efficient way to make a diving catch.
Photo excitement
A couple of skaters eagerly check out a photo that one of them took during a public skating session on February 22 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. The skaters were stopped by the trees on the northwest corner of the track, which is a favourite area for selfie photos.
Snow plentiful at the Oval
A trio of skaters peacefully stride down the front straightaway of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 22. All the facilities on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds received a lot of snow this winter including the Oval. Even with skates on and being on an elevated ice surface, the snow on the sides of the track was up to the knees of these skaters.
Out in full force
A huge group of young skiers make their way down one of the trails on the Glenn Reeve Fields under the guidance of a pair of instructors from the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club on February 23. The youngsters had a blast on the trails.
Lions hit their stride
A pair of members from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club jet down the back straightaway of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 24. The Lions skaters were perfecting their stride taking full advantage of the lap time they had on the track.
All smiles under the Oval lights
A member of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club cracks a smile coming out of a corner and cruises onto the back straightaway of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 24. The skater was enjoying one of the final Lions practices at the Oval for the 2024-25 season.
Toss to daylight
Luciano Jolly of the Saskatoon Badgers Rugby Club receives a pitch to get a free release down the sideline during a practice session on February 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Badgers tackled this session with the focus you see in the middle of the season.
Drive, drive, drive
A member of the Saskatoon Badgers Ruby Club drives back a teammate holding a blocking bag during a practice session on February 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. Rugby clubs like the Badgers ensure players execute the contact aspects of the game in correct fashion.
Final hurrah for Oval
The front straightaway of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval sits peacefully in front of the K+S Potash Canada Multi-Sports Centre building on March 2. This was the view of the Oval as it closed up for the season later on that day. The Oval will return once again in December.
Rapid fire snag
A member of the Saskatoon Cubs baseball team makes this snag of a ground ball look picture perfect. However, the fielding of a ground ball wasn’t that simple as the Cubs were using a machine to fire ground balls downfield at a rapid pace. This drill was used to help the Cubs players with their reaction time.
