(February 22, 2008 - OTTAWA, ON) At a media conference held earlier today in Calgary, Skate Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Calgary Olympic Development Association to relocate the Skate Canada national office to a central winter facility that is proposed for southern Alberta. The MOU was signed by Chief Executive Officer William Thompson.

CODA is hoping that this new facility which is due to get underway next month, will become the central location for all winter sports in Canada and has invited both Skate Canada and Hockey Canada to be anchor sports in the building. Construction is expected to be completed in 2010 and the finished complex will have a five-storey office tower, four ice rinks, sport science facilities and a sport school.

“If the project goes ahead as anticipated, the corporate business advantages are very attractive. Shared resources and low rent would reduce the day-to-day cost of our business operation and would also provide us with the opportunity to conveniently organize and hold training camps and events,” said Thompson.

“In addition we would have access to state of the art sport science expertise as well as the opportunity to pilot programs, test any proposed updates to programs and enable us to take a greater lead in coach education and development. It could serve as a resource centre to skating coaches and clubs throughout Canada.”

While Skate Canada is currently exploring the benefits of moving part of its operation to Calgary it is committed to maintaining an office and certain positions in Ottawa to provide bilingual staff and services to the Skate Canada members.

The agreement was signed in conjunction with a two-week celebration of the 20th anniversary of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games as CODA looks forward to building together with all winter sports to create a Canadian centre for sports excellence for the future.

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