Members of the Red Deer RCMP as well as other local community groups are coming together early in the new year for the 'Learn to Skate' program, which helps immigrants learn the basics about hockey.

The ‘Learn to Skate’ program is the Central Alberta Refugee Effort's answer to a question brought to them by a young immigrant years ago, who wanted to learn how to skate, but felt too embarrassed learning next to his Canadian peers who were taught at a much earlier age. 

Brayden Thompson is an Immigrant Youth Program Coordinator with C.A.R.E, and he says from those humble beginnings, it's evolved into a community effort that leaves these newcomers feeling thankful for the opportunity.

“Some youth came to us and said they wanted to learn how to skate so we took them skating, and it’s evolved every year and grown. So now we have our own skates that have been donated from hockey teams, and we are expecting about 70 youth to show up and learn how to skate.”

The three day event stars on January 2nd at the Collicutt Centre, January 3rd will be at Bower Ponds, and finishes up with a game of shinny at the Riverside Meadows outdoor rink on January 4th.