ICE SKATING : Young People Are in Tune With Musical Variety at Conejo Valley Rink

Bill Douglas thumbed through an assortment of religious-oriented rock ‘n’ roll albums, carefully setting his next selection on the turntable. At Christian Ice Skating Night, the music is as important as a proper-fitting pair of skates.

“The people seem to be fairly happy with what’s being spun,” said Douglas, a youth pastor at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Newbury Park who doubles on occasion as disc jockey at the Conejo Valley Ice Skating Center. “They’re just happy that they have a night to come together and listen to good music.”

Christian music is touted on fliers that have been circulated to promote the weekly program. The fliers were distributed to Conejo Valley-area churches to advertise the summer-long skating program that also features group lessons, raffles and games.

“We’re getting a lot of teen-agers who seem to like it a lot,” said Pat Newbert, manager of the Newbury Park rink. “We would like to get more families out.”

The Monday night skating program, which is in its fourth week, attracts 20 to 60 skaters each session.

For more competitive skaters, Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jay Wells and the Conejo Hockey Club will stage a seven-day hockey seminar beginning Sunday for players ages 7 to 19. Wells will teach stick-handling skills, passing, checking, shooting techniques and strategy.

Bob Donahue and Frank Wilson of the Conejo Hockey Club will participate along with club members Bernie Thibault and Mark Ballard.

Information: 805-498-6669.