Generous donations have brought a new program to life in Morden.

The City of Morden Community Services Department is starting a new skate lending program beginning Nov. 18. The program will allow people to participate in public skating without worrying about buying their own pair. The Clark Elder Memorial Fund purchased the 26 brand new pairs through Olympic Source for Sports in Morden.

"This skate lending program is important to us as Clark's family, and our hope is that children without access to skates can take part in public skating fun. Skating was very important to Clark. He started skating at five years of age, and it quickly became a big part of his life! He loved to play shinny and hockey games with his friends. One year during a winter ice storm, he skated down Gilmour Street with his new skates, much to his mother’s concern about damage to skate blades. We want to see that all children have the opportunity to learn to skate and enjoy winter physical activity."

Olympic Source for Sports has also offered to provide free skate sharpening services to this program for the first two years.

"Each year," said Digby,"funds from the slo-pitch tournament are donated back to the city."

Normally, for the past five years, this money pays for improvements to the baseball diamonds in Morden. This year, however, Digby wanted to do something different.

"We're able to get brand new skates for the skate lending program," Digby explained.

"I'm hoping this will make skating accessible to those who may not have skates," said Stephanie Dueck, City of Morden Recreation Programmer. "[That includes] people who are visiting Morden for a short time and for newcomers to Morden who are just settling in."

Dueck said volunteers are still needed to make the program a reality. Anyone interested can call Stephanie Dueck at (204) 822-5431 ext. 223.