KW Skating Club director ‘shattered’ by dismissal
Local skating club declines to discuss allegations against former technical director
WATERLOO — Canada’s largest figure skating club is trying to reassure parents after a chaotic few months sparked by the firing of former technical director Jean-Michel Bombardier.
Bombardier, the former national champion pairs figure skater, was hired by the Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club in September 2016 to help turn the local club into a world-class training centre.
Bombardier came in with an elite resumé, representing Canada at seven World Championships, and a three-time Canadian championship. The former husband of Olympian Josée Chouinard, his company Celebration on Ice produced shows with skating’s biggest stars, from Brian Orser to Kurt Browning to Elvis Stojko.
But he only lasted a little over a year — until his position was abruptly terminated last October following allegations of sexual harassment.
Bombardier, who strongly denies the allegations, was never charged with anything. Instead, he says he was pushed out because of a rift with the executive director who accused him of doing work for other charities on the club’s time.
“My world has been completely shattered by this dismissal,” he said. “It was embarrassing the way it was done ... I got kicked to the curb, in front of the skaters.”
Bombardier’s firing caused quite the fuss in local skating circles. One KW Skating Club board member quit soon after, and questions are still flying about how it was handled.
He said the allegations that came out after his departure have done significant damage to his personal life.
“I think about it every day, because it has shattered my relationship at home over the rumours that came out,” Bombardier said. “Rumours are rumours, and people talk. The skating world is no different.”
On Friday, the club’s executive director who fired him announced she’s taking early retirement, effective March 15.
But Marie Pringle, whose pending departure came with little notice, declined to talk about the past few rocky months for the club she has led for eight years.
Alison Sims, the club’s president of the board and its official spokesperson, said Pringle’s retirement has been planned for at least two years and is “unrelated to any current matters regarding KWSC.”
She declined to talk about the allegations against Bombardier, but stressed that they did not involve any skaters.
“During my time as club president, there have been no reported cases of misconduct involving any of our skaters. This would include the period of Mr. Bombardier’s employment at KWSC. At no stage have there been any concerns about the safety of our skaters,” she said.
She added that skaters and staff are protected by a Workplace Violence & Harassment Policy, and that all coaches are bound by a professional Code of Conduct.
“KWSC takes concerns regarding skater safety very seriously. I have full confidence in the abilities and professionalism of our dedicated staff and talented coaching team,” Sims said.
It’s been a difficult stretch for the 2,500-member skating club, which has been around since 1938 and has taught thousands to skate out of its home rink at RIM Park in Waterloo.
Some of its biggest alumni include Olympic silver medallists Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch, Olympic ice dance champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, and world silver medallists Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje.
Bombardier, who was hired by Pringle, said he was excited to take on the new role with the skating club. He’s still frustrated at how it all ended.
“I loved what I did. I loved the children, I loved the parents, the members. I love the direction we were taking,” he said.
As administrators tried to calm the storm around Bombardier’s departure, the club held multiple meetings with upset members.
“It’s been chaos. I think they’ve lost trust,” Bombardier said. “I think I became the face of the club, and it bothered some people.”
In December, they brought in a mediator from the Community Justice Initiative, a representative from Skate Ontario and Don McCreesh, who helps nonprofits deal with ethical, financial, governance and human resources issues.
In January, the club announced it was hiring a new technical director. Bombardier’s replacement, veteran Skate Canada coach Pat teBoekhorst, begins her new job in April. Her son Dave teBoekhorst managed the Kitchener Panthers for the past three years.
The club called another closeddoor meeting in mid-January, at the request of members, to talk further about Bombardier’s dismissal.
Then, last Friday, the skating club announced that Pringle was suddenly taking early retirement, and was leaving in two weeks. Rachel Kerswill, the club’s programs and event manager, will fill-in while they search for a permanent replacement.
That process could take months, the club said.
Some members have complained they’ve been left in the dark through all this upheaval. When Bombardier was dismissed in November, there was little explanation.
“Last week our technical director left KWSC and we wish him all the best. Please know that we remain committed to providing continued service to our members during this transitional period,” was the terse message posted on the club’s website on Nov. 3.
Bombardier, meanwhile, says he regrets that it all ended so badly.
“I just miss what I did every day,” he said.