Kelowna’s Skate Canada gets grant money

SPORTS — Skate Canada International will get $100,000 in provincial grant money for a competition in Kelowna this fall.

Premier Christy Clark made the announcement today.

“Skate Canada International will bring the world’s best skaters and our future Olympians to Kelowna for an event that will attract thousands of visitors,” said Clark.

“I know that Kelowna residents and businesses will welcome them with open arms.”

Skate Canada International will be held at Prospera Place Oct. 30-Nov. 1. Nearly 20,000 spectators are expected to attend the event. The 2013 Skate Canada International in Saint John, N.B. generated economic spinoffs estimated at $4 million.

Funding is being provided through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Skate Canada International is the second competition in the annual ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating® series. The other events take place in the United States, China, France, Russia and Japan. Skaters are awarded points based on their placements in the series’ events.

The top-six men and ladies and the top-six pair and ice dance teams qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in December 2014.

This is the first time Kelowna has hosted Skate Canada International. The last time the event was held in B.C. was in 2006 in Victoria.

About 60 top skaters from 13 to 15 different countries will compete.