Skaters dazzle at women’s shelter fundraiser

BY MARC LALONDE

marc.lalonde@transcontinental.ca

Saturday’s ice-and-music show staged by the Pierrefonds Figure Skating Club brought in much-needed funds for the West Island Women’s Shelter, but attendance was smaller-than-expected after the show ran into some unforeseen circumstances, club president Jules Lessard said.

“The afternoon edition was very well-attended, but we didn’t have as many people for the evening show as we would’ve liked,” he said.

Facing competition from Easter-weekend travel plans and the Canadiens-Maple Leafs hockey game, the evening show still went very well, Lessard added.

“I think it was well appreciated. Everybody who participated was great and the show was fantastic,” he said. The show featured French-language pop stars and national-level figure skaters performing routines.

The benefit was set up to help the women’s shelter build a second-phase apartment complex for clients. Dubbed L’Alternatelle, the shelter’s second phase will include conference rooms, a playroom for children and a common room, which aren’t covered by a government grant for social housing.

A shelter representative said the total funds raised by the event are still being calculated and will potentially be available by the end of the week.