The Mission Racers Speed Skating Club is traveling across the river to host the province.
The Mission club welcomes the top provincial competitors in the sport to the 2017 B.C. Short Track Speed Skating Championships, which run on March 4 and 5 at Abbotsford Centre.
The event welcomes over 150 skaters from all across the province.
Event organizer Bruce Wenting said Abbotsford was the logical choice for an event of this magnitude.
“An event of this size would strain the resources of our community rink as well as displace other user groups,” he stated. “The Abbotsford Centre is a perfect venue for this event with fabulous facilities and a very professional staff.”
Wenting said that skaters ranging in age from eight to masters level groups will be hitting the ice. Athletes attending have qualified through local and regional events with time standards being met in two separate distances. The event marks the end of the season for most skaters except for a few attending national events in the next few weeks
Members of the public are welcome to attend at no charge for either day.
Wenting said the event has come together through much cooperation in the speed skating community.
“While the Mission Racers are hosts of the meet, we could not attempt it without the support of our neighbouring clubs who are sharing personnel and equipment,” he said. “The club is grateful for the financial support from Tourism Abbotsford, BC Gaming and the BC Speed Skating Association.”
Skating runs on both days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an opening ceremony scheduled for Saturday at 8 a.m. Mayor Henry Braun, MLA Simon Gibson and representatives from Tourism Abbotsford will be on hand to welcome all the competitors.