The Kootenay Region Figure Skating Championships will be hosted in Creston for the 3rd year in a row.
Jillian Sibbald is the treasurer of the Kootenay Region for SkateCanada, British Columbia/Yukon. She says Creston’s central location and diverse facilities at the Creston and District Community Complex makes it the obvious choice to host the competitions year after year.
Just recently the Town of Creston awarded the event $500.00 to help with operating costs.
The event runs from February 8th to the 10th.
According to Sibbald, 12 figure skating clubs will be represented from the East and West Kootenays including Grand Forks, Castlegar, Nelson and Cranbrook. Sibbald says it’s a collaborative effort to facilitate the event.
“We have volunteers from each club sort of help run it. from being the ones who open and close the gates to the skaters that get on the ice. From the ones at the registration desk to the ones putting the medals on and the announcers.”
The 3 day event is free of charge and Sibbald says it will feature a wide range of skaters as well as 2 adult competitors.
“we currently have approximately 150 skaters registered. Coming into Creston we have their families and coaches as well coming in. What’s really neat is the age span of the group. So looking through the names, and we have anywhere ranging from 5 to 18 year olds.”
Aside from individual and pair competitions, each club will put on a group number on the Saturday. Skaters compete to represent the Kootenays at the will compete to represent the Kootenays at the Super Series STARSkate Final in Kelowna, BC this March.