Nova Scotia Starskate coming to Yarmouth

Last year’s event attracted 214 participants and organizers are hoping for a similar number to come to Yarmouth. And this doesn’t include the hundreds of other people involved, including officials, announcers, runners, timers and countless volunteers.

“You’re looking at 100 to 200 people who are actively involved,� says Linda Deveau, who is part of the organizing committee.

The provincial event will see skaters as young as five or six taking part in their first solo effort. Then there will be all other ages right up to adults, including both females and males.

Terry Woods, the technical representative on the organizing committee – which is chaired by Patti Goodwin – says Starskate is for skaters other than those who are in what is referred to as competitive stream skating.

She says they’re hoping a lot of people turn out for the competitions. Admission is free.

“We would love to bring in people from the public,� says Woods. “We always get family members and people from away bring their families so the stands are never empty, but we’d love to see them full.�

This is the second time the event will be held at the Mariners Centre. The last time was in 2003. Necessities for hosting the event include a proper ice surface, a dedicated volunteer staff and an adequate number of break-out rooms to be used for dressing rooms, judges, support staff and accountants. Overnight accommodations in the community are another consideration.

Woods says there will be an economic spin-off for the town. She says people will be staying in local hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts at a time that is traditionally a slow period of the year.

“People are going to be dining out,� she adds. “And shopping. Kids like to shop and we’re talking a lot of pre-teen and teenage girls.�









ON THE ICE



Individual skaters will compete for bronze, silver and gold in creative skills, interpretive and free skates.

During the weekend there will be synchronized team performances and competitions, along with a demonstration by Nova Scotia’s provincial synchro team.

Winners from some of the categories over the weekend will proceed to the National Starskate Championships in Calgary in March.

Times for the Starskate event are:

Friday, Feb. 16 – 4-10 p.m.;

Saturday, Feb. 17 – 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.;

Sunday, Feb. 18 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Admission is free.