The Carlyle Skating Club is hosting 2017's Region 1 and Region 6 Invitational Skating Competition, Jan. 14 and 15 at the Carlyle Sports Arena. The weekend of high-calibre skating competition will feature up to 150 skaters from ages seven to adult and will not only bring spectacular skating to Carlyle, but will also provide an economic boost to the community and the opportunity to volunteer to area residents.
“Carlyle has never hosted this event and it's usually about a once every 30-years opportunity,” says Anita Delalleau, Region 1 and Region 6 Invitational Skating Competition chairperson and Carlyle Skating Club president. “ We had originally planned on 2019, but in September 2016, we were given the chance to host the Invitational in 2017. We'll be hosting up to as many as 150 skaters, their families and friends and spectators from throughout southeast Saskatchewan that weekend.”
“It's a huge undertaking and we're actively looking for sponsors and many, many volunteers,” adds Delalleau. “But it's a rare opportunity and we leapt at it. Not only is it a competition at a high-level of skating, it's a great weekend of entertainment and an economic opportunity for Carlyle.”
“Admission is free, so we're really hoping everyone comes out to enjoy a great weekend of entertainment and competition.”
Nickie Doty, who is in charge of publicity, fundraising and awards for the competition, agrees, adding: “We have 140 shifts for volunteers and those positions involve just about everything. We'll need people to work the registration table and the raffle tables, to act as runners, to act as ice captains, to work in the hospitality room and even announcers and people that will help with the skaters' music.”
“We also welcome event sponsorship,” adds Doty. “Some of our expenses will include judges' mileage, hotels and meals. We will have at least 10 officials, two technical reps and a data specialist, all of whom are coming from throughout Saskatchewan.”
“But it's a great opportunity to showcase our town,” says Delalleau. “The skaters all come from the southeast corner of Saskatchewan, from Yorkton to Estevan. For our Region 6 competition, skaters from Esterhazy, Melville, Whitewood and Yorkton will compete. In Region 1-where are local skaters will compete, we'll welcome skaters from our Carlyle Skating Club as well as skaters from Alameda, Arcola, Bienfait, Carnduff, Kennedy, Kipling, Moosomin, Oxbow, Redvers and Wawota.”
“They're all StarSkate level skaters and they'll be competing in: freeskate, spins, jumps, interpretive pattern dance couple and adult freeskate. We're also offering team events,” adds Delalleau.
Carlyle Skating Club board member Mary Moffat is in charge of hospitality for the event and says: “It's a huge boon to our community. We're currently canvassing the town for advertising sponsors and raffle items. There will be lots for the community to come out and watch, but there will also be ample time for the skaters and their parents to check out our town, not just our rink.”
“Anytime you get an extra 500 to 600 people in your community, that's a good day for everybody.”
Currently, the Carlyle Skating Club has 27 skaters 14 of them will be skating in the Invitational. They are: Nolan Cameron, Ciara Corrigan, Tiana Delalleau, Maizy Delmaire, Katelyn Desjarlais, Anna Doty, Kyla Fischer, Victoria Flynn, Nikki Lamb, Jessica Moffat, Ruby Parker, Brittany Rowe, Makenna Slykhuis and Halle Schutz.
“Our skaters are from Carlyle, Kennedy, Kenosee Lake, Redvers, Wauchope and White Bear First Nation,” says event treasurer-who is also in charge of scheduling-Karen Fischer. “We're relying heavily on the communities in our area for everything-financial support, volunteering time-really, nothing's too small.”
“Everyone's welcome to come out,” says Delalleau. “Medal presentations will take place throughout the weekend and so far, we've got two skating vendors who are coming to the rink, a photographer, raffle tables and a 50/50 lined up.”
“Of course, the rink kitchen will be open and we have Jesse and Brandon of Global Cotton Candy lined up, too.”
“It's such a huge opportunity for our skaters, for our community and it promises to be a great weekend for everyone,” adds Delalleau.
“It's a good thing.”
For more information about the event, including sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, contact: Anita Delalleau at 577-9104 or Nickie Doty at 577-7778.
