The sport and event marketing and management (SEMM) students at Medicine Hat College (MHC) are thrilled to announce their partnership with Speed Skating Alberta for the upcoming Canadian Youth Short Track Speed Skating Championships West to be held at Big Marble Go Centre.
In 2023, the local speed skating club of Medicine Hat was awarded the competition, scheduled for Mar. 22-24, 2024, thanks to the facility's Olympic-sized ice.
"We are excited to partner with Medicine Hat College and their SEMM students for the Canadian Youth Short Track Championships," says Lorelei St. Rose, technical director for Speed Skating Alberta. "The students are playing an important role in enhancing this event through their work in marketing, sponsorship procurement and activation, managing event logistics, and organizing the skater social event. Their event knowledge and creativity is helping take this event to the next level."
The event will host 120 athletes, aged 11-13 years old from across Western Canada, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. These young athletes, who have competed all year to earn their spot, will showcase their skills in a two-day event.
"Our community has a rich history in speed skating and the local club is thrilled that our community was chosen to host yet another exciting event to celebrate youth and sports," says Emma Piayda, president of the Medicine Hat Speed Skating Club. "Working alongside the college and the event industry's up and coming professionals is rewarding. We really want to create awareness for the sport of speed skating and elevate the presence of the Medicine Hat Speed Skating Club."
"This is a great opportunity for our students to get hands-on experience on a national level," says Dayna Felesky, Program Coordinator, Medicine Hat College. "This is the student's final course before they head into industry, and I am confident this will help prepare them for real experiences outside the classroom."
More information regarding the event and other pertinent details will be revealed in the coming weeks. To learn more about Speed Skating Alberta, please visit: www.albertaspeedskating.ca.