Billings resident Leslie Albright has turned a long‑standing love of skating into a community‑wide opportunity for children who might never otherwise step onto the ice. The program, run out of Signal Peak Arena, targets students from the three elementary schools that form the “triangle” – Newman, Ponderosa and Orchard – and provides free skate rentals, instruction and a safe, fun environment.
Building a program for a small community
Albright explained that the idea grew out of a 16‑year partnership with a local developer who helped her design a model that works in a town the size of Billings rather than a large metropolitan area. “We wanted to help the underserved kids in our community and provide skating when they maybe were never going to ever get to skate,” she said.
The response has exceeded expectations. “When we started, we thought we were going to be happy with 15 kids, and we have 32,” Albright noted, highlighting the strong demand for affordable recreation.
First‑time skaters find joy – and a few falls
Among the participants is 9‑year‑old Scarlett Scheibel, who admits to a few tumbles but says the experience has been “pretty fun.” “I’ve fallen on my knees a couple times, but it’s been pretty fun,” she said, laughing. The program mixes basic skating drills with games like red‑light/green‑light, follow‑the‑leader and even bingo, keeping the atmosphere light while teaching balance and confidence.
Albright observes that younger children tend to be less fearful than older kids. “They don’t have a lot of the fear that older kids do. So the littles just get right on it, and they just have a blast, and they fall, and they get right up, and it’s fun,” she explained.
Long‑term impact and future growth
With more than five decades of teaching experience, Albright says the program has already sparked further involvement. “We have already gotten a couple of these kids into our regular learned escape program because they’re having so much fun with this program,” she added, indicating a pipeline to continued skating instruction.
Community leaders and parents have praised the effort, noting that affordable recreation supports healthy development and strengthens family bonds. By removing the cost barrier, the program aligns with Billings’ broader goal of providing wholesome, family‑friendly activities that nurture both body and spirit.
How to get involved
Families interested in enrolling their children can contact Signal Peak Arena directly or reach out to Albright through the program’s volunteer network. As the winter season continues, the initiative hopes to expand its reach, adding more skate slots and potentially partnering with additional schools.
In a region where winter sports are a natural part of life, this grassroots effort demonstrates how local volunteers can make a lasting difference, ensuring that every child – regardless of income – has a chance to glide across the ice and build confidence for years to come.
Original reporting: KTVQ Q2 Billings (local) — read the source article.
