Media advisory - Kicking off the winter season at the Old Port of Montréal

Olympic and professional athletes lace up their skates for the occasion

MONTREAL, Nov. 28, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - It's winter already at the Old Port of Montréal! On Saturday, December 1, the Old Port's winter program will be launched with the opening of Montréal's largest refrigerated outdoor rink. On this occasion, access to the site will be free for the entire day for all those who arrive between 10 and 11 a.m. The public will be able to skate with the likes of Mathieu Darche, professional hockey player, François-Louis Tremblay, one of the fastest skaters in the world, and Marie-France Dubreuil, double silver medallist at the World Figure Skating Championships.

These winter athletes have invited a number of summer athletes to join them on the ice for a short introductory skating session. Jennifer Abel, bronze medallist in diving at the London Olympics, Sylvie Bernier, Canada's assistant chef de mission at the London Games, and Étienne Boulay, member of the Toronto Argonauts, Eastern division champions, will lace up their skates for the occasion.

The day will also feature the first TELUS Fire on Ice musical fireworks, which will be presented every Saturday at 8 p.m. from December 1 to January 5, and the lighting of a stylized Christmas tree, a sparkling modern structure 9 metres in height.

The Old Port wishes to thank its main partner, the Government of Canada and wish to acknowledge the support of: TELUS, Sleeman, Coca-Cola and ESKA, and Van Houtte - the official partner of Old Port's Skating Rink.

DATEBOOK

WHAT	Launch of winter season at the Old Port of Montréal and official opening of skating rink
WHO	Mathieu Darche, professional hockey player François Louis-Tremblay, five-time Olympic medallist in speed skating Marie-France Dubreuil, double silver medallist at the World Figure Skating Championships Étienne Boulay, professional football player, Toronto Argonauts Jennifer Abel, bronze medallist in diving, London Olympics Sylvie Bernier, Canada's assistant chef de mission, London Olympics Young people from the H.E.R.O.S. program, supported by TELUS David Jobin, programming director, Old Port of Montréal
WHEN	Saturday, December 1, 2012
	10:30 a.m.	Arrival of athletes and preparation
	11 a.m.	Welcoming remarks and beginning of skating clinic
	11:15 a.m.	Skate with the athletes, the general public and kids from the H.E.R.O.S. program
	12:15 p.m.	End of activity with athletes
	starting at noon	Fundraiser in the TELUS Zone to support H.E.R.O.S., with participation of players from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
	8 p.m.	First TELUS Fire on Ice extravaganza
WHERE	Old Port Skating Rink and Bonsecours Basin Rue de la Commune - Parking at the Clock Tower Quay

SOURCE: Old Port of Montréal

To RSVP or to request an interview, please contact:

Marie-Annick L'Allier
[email protected]
514-983-8236

Dominique Ladouceur
[email protected]
514-576-2379