OTTAWA, April 4 2014 /CNW/ - Skate Canada announced today that its qualifying event for the national championships will be held for the first time in Montreal, Que. The 2015 Skate Canada Challenge will take place from December 3-7, 2014 at Sportplexe 4 Glaces Pierrefonds.
Over 500 of the finest skaters from across Canada will participate in the 2015 Skate Canada Challenge. Skaters qualify to compete through their respective sectional championships. For novice, junior and senior skaters, this is the only opportunity to qualify for the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships, to be held in January 2015. The 2015 Canadian Pre-Novice Champions in men's, women's, pair and ice dance are determined at this event.
"We are excited to bring this competition to Montreal. It's an opportunity to see how young skaters who began in our CanSkate program are now competing at such a high level. This event is such an important stepping stone for all of our competitive skaters striving to make that next step to the national championships," said Dan Thompson, Skate Canada CEO. "All of the components to host an event of this importance and magnitude are in place: a tremendous volunteer team, terrific hotels and a fabulous venue. We know it will be a wonderful experience for everyone."
"It's an honour for Montreal to host such a high calibre skating competition. In addition to allowing Montrealers to cheer on the best Canadian athletes in this discipline, the event will result in significant economic benefits for West Island businesses," says Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montreal. "We are delighted that our dealings with Skate Canada to attract this event to Montreal have been successful."
More than 550 hotel rooms are used for the event, which generates economic activity to the region. At the senior level, many members of Canada's National Team often compete in the event, as well as the junior athletes who have competed internationally.
About Skate Canada
Skate Canada, the national governing body responsible for the development and administration of skating in Canada, is the largest figure skating association in the world. With over 5,000 registered coaches, skating programs for athletes of all ages are offered at 1,200 skating clubs and schools across the country. Skate Canada is an association dedicated to providing every Canadian the opportunity to learn life skills while experiencing the power, strength, and creativity of one of Canada's premier sports.
About Tourisme Montréal
Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership in the concerted efforts of hospitality and promotion in order to position the "Montréal" destination on leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal's tourism product in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the market. For more information, please visit www.tourisme-montreal.org.
SOURCE: Tourisme Montréal
Emma Bowie, Manager, Communications, 613.747.1007 ext. 2547, [email protected]; Alexandra Graveline, Manager - Corporate Public Relations, Tourisme Montréal, 514 844-3558, [email protected]
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