Lethbridge – Figure Skating fans in Lethbridge are about to be treated to one of the top competitions in the world. As after 25 years, after first hosting Skate Canada International, the event is returning to Lethbridge on Friday.
“Yeah, hopefully Friday and Saturday night we can really fill this place up,” said Skate Canada Communications Manager Emma Bowie.
But before Skate Canada packs the seats, the Enmax Centre must be transformed into a premier figure skating venue.
“It’s a lot of man hours, you have three days and sometimes working 24 hours a day, especially on the ice building stuff,” said Skate Canada Event Manager Paul Kitcher.
Skate Canada staff began set-up on Sunday, with the essential help of 200 volunteers.
“They’re getting people to and from airports, hotels, helping set up the venue here,” said Bowie. “So everything from lighting, running cables, getting the skaters lounge prepared.”
It’s a lot to get done in a short time. The glass has to be removed from the boards, speakers have to be added, and 75 lights are moved into the venue. The overall technical installation cost is close to $500,000.
But nothing is more critical to a successful Skate Canada event than the ice.
“We have to start by shaving the hockey ice down, then whiting out all of the regular hockey lines,” said Kitcher. “Then we paint the whole ice grey, then paint the logos on it, and then we have to build up two inches of ice on top of that.”
Building the ice alone takes 48 to 72 hours. At the same time, crews are working on the construction of the judges’ platform, and TV broadcast portion of the set-up.
Only once the skaters finally take to the ice, those who have worked so hard to make it all happen, can relax.
“Once we start the competition and everything is rolling and everything is going well, you just kind of sit back and watch the show and enjoy it,” said Kitcher.
The competition gets underway Friday afternoon. For information and tickets, go to
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