For three days in January, hundreds of skaters from across Atlantic Canada are set to take the ice at Queens Place Emera Centre in Liverpool and compete to advance to a national level competition.
An announcement was made in November that the Queens County Blades Skating Club was successful in its bid to host the 2018 Atlantic Synchronized Skating Championships Jan. 26-28, 2018, says a Region of Queens Municipality media release.
At the Region of Queens’ regular council meeting Dec. 12, council approved a grant of $6,000 to support the event, citing it as an important economic driver with an expected economic impact of $450,000 in and around Liverpool.
“Council is very happy to support this event, which will bring over 500 participants, including skaters and coaches, from all four Atlantic provinces to Liverpool this January. This economic boost to the community will occur in what is traditionally a slower time of year for hotels, dining establishments and retail shops,” said David Dagley, mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality.
“The selection was based on past successful events hosted by the Queens County Blades Skating Club, as well as the reputation that Queens has developed as a successful and welcoming host community for large-scale, top-caliber events. A great deal of work goes into making a bid, and council appreciates the effort by the Queens County Blades Skating Club and their upcoming volunteer efforts in the weeks leading to the 2018 Atlantic Synchronized Skating Championships.”
The 2018 Atlantic Synchronized Skating Championships will feature teams of synchronized skaters who will compete to represent Atlantic Canada at the Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships set to happen from Feb. 25-28 in Oshawa, Ont. Teams will consist of youth and adult skaters competing to qualify in novice, intermediate, open, junior and senior categories.
According to the Skate Canada website, “synchronized skating or ‘synchro,’ is a specialized discipline of skating involving groups of eight or more skaters performing various group formations and maneuvers. The object is for the team to perform as one unit executing circles, blocks, lines, wheels and intersections in unison to the music, while demonstrating quality edges, power and flow.”
This is the first time the Atlantic Synchronized Skating Championships will be held at Queens Place Emera Centre.
Visit Skate Canada at https://skatecanada.ca/.
