Interclub History
Pacific Northwest Interclub Association, Inc., better known as Pacific NW Interclub, was formed in March 1969, under the name Puget Sound Inter Ice Skating Club Association. It was commonly referred to as Puget Sound Interclub. The original member clubs included the Burien Skating Club, Lakewood Winter Club, Overlake Skating Club, and Seattle Skating Club. When the Burien Ice Chalet closed, the Burien Skating Club moved to Ballard Ice Arena until it closed in 1978, at which time they moved to Highland and in December 1981, became the Highland Skating Club.
As time went on, the Overlake Skating Club became inactive and the Seattle Skating Club ceased their membership. That left the Association with only two member clubs. Since InterClub Associations must have at least three member clubs to be recognized by U.S. Figure Skating Association (U.S. Figure Skating), a decision was made to expand the Association to include clubs east of the Cascade Mountains. Wenatchee Figure Skating Club was the first of the new clubs to join, followed shortly thereafter by Sun Valley Skating Club, Tri-Cities Figure Skating Club, and Lilac City Figure Skating Club in Spokane. In 1998, Seattle Skating Club rejoined the Association, bringing the membership to seven clubs. In light of the expanded participation, a decision was made to change the name of the Association to the Pacific Northwest Interclub or PNIC, to reflect the new geographic range of the Association. In 2006, Kent Valley Figure Skating Club, Bellingham Figure Skating Club, and Spokane Figure Skating Club joined, bringing our membership to ten clubs. Subsequently, the following clubs have joined, bringing our members to 17 clubs – Boise Figure Skating Club, Bremerton Figure Skating Club, Cascade Valley Figure Skating Club, Everett Figure Skating Club, Inland Northwest Figure Skating Club, Kingsgate Skating Club, and Missoula Figure Skating Club.
PNIC's original mission was to improve, encourage, and advance figure skating through its member clubs and to provide a forum for the exchange of information among the membership for their mutual benefit. Over time, our mission has expanded to include fostering a willingness by the area clubs, rinks, coaches and local U.S. Figure Skating officials to work together to advance the skills of the skater. If we can unite these sources in this effort, we can make the Northwest a leader in the Pacific Coast skating community.
As time went on, the Overlake Skating Club became inactive and the Seattle Skating Club ceased their membership. That left the Association with only two member clubs. Since InterClub Associations must have at least three member clubs to be recognized by U.S. Figure Skating Association (U.S. Figure Skating), a decision was made to expand the Association to include clubs east of the Cascade Mountains. Wenatchee Figure Skating Club was the first of the new clubs to join, followed shortly thereafter by Sun Valley Skating Club, Tri-Cities Figure Skating Club, and Lilac City Figure Skating Club in Spokane. In 1998, Seattle Skating Club rejoined the Association, bringing the membership to seven clubs. In light of the expanded participation, a decision was made to change the name of the Association to the Pacific Northwest Interclub or PNIC, to reflect the new geographic range of the Association. In 2006, Kent Valley Figure Skating Club, Bellingham Figure Skating Club, and Spokane Figure Skating Club joined, bringing our membership to ten clubs. Subsequently, the following clubs have joined, bringing our members to 17 clubs – Boise Figure Skating Club, Bremerton Figure Skating Club, Cascade Valley Figure Skating Club, Everett Figure Skating Club, Inland Northwest Figure Skating Club, Kingsgate Skating Club, and Missoula Figure Skating Club.
PNIC's original mission was to improve, encourage, and advance figure skating through its member clubs and to provide a forum for the exchange of information among the membership for their mutual benefit. Over time, our mission has expanded to include fostering a willingness by the area clubs, rinks, coaches and local U.S. Figure Skating officials to work together to advance the skills of the skater. If we can unite these sources in this effort, we can make the Northwest a leader in the Pacific Coast skating community.