“There is nothing that compares to helping tots take their first steps on the ice.”

Atharva Vaishampayan has been a volunteer with the City of Port Coquitlam since 2019. He had enjoyed ice skating since taking lessons as a child. Now, Atharva helps inspire that same love for skating as a volunteer in the City’s Learn to Skate programs!

Atharva has become a regular fixture at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre, where he has volunteered over a 130 hours in arena activities. He can often be found assisting staff in the skate shop or on the ice helping to deliver skate lessons and camps. Wherever you find him, Atharva is always ready to meet participants and their parents with a smile and help them get their skates and helmets fit correctly. Off the ice, Atharva is a student at Port Moody Secondary School and is working hard to pursue the career of his dreams: working with airplanes. He hopes to be accepted into an aerospace engineering program this Fall with the end goal of becoming a pilot. In his spare time, he also enjoys playing sports and giving back to the community.

Volunteerism and giving back has been important to Atharva since he was a young child. He is the Past President of the Tri-Cities Interact Club, a Rotary Community Service Club for youth ages 12-18. He is most proud of his work helping to donate two water tanks to schools in Kenya who do not have access to clean water, which the Club fundraised by writing grants and organizing bottle drives. He also volunteered to support toy drives organized by Share to provide toys to BC Children’s Hospital. When asked why he chooses to be so involved in his community he explained, “I enjoy helping others find their passion, and I like doing it at the same time.”

Atharva’s dedication to his community clearly goes beyond the ice rink, and it is our honour to highlight his passion for helping others in our community and around the world in the Volunteer Spotlight.

The City of Port Coquitlam’s Recreation Department would like to thank Atharva for making a positive impact in the community!