The Red Deer Central Lions Speed Skating Club will host its final meet at the Kinex this weekend. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

bidding a fond farewell

Lions Speed Skating Club to host final meet at Kinex Arena

Nov 2, 2022 | 3:26 PM

The Red Deer Lions Speed Skating Club will host its final meet at their long-time home, the Kinex Arena (4725 A – 43 Street), this Saturday.

The short-track competition runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open to the public. It will feature 104 competitors from around the province.

The club, which started in 1952, has seen many young skaters go on to compete at national and international events.

It will soon move into the G.H. Dawe Community Centre when that facility re-opens in 2023, but will continue to hold practices at the Kinex until that happens.

“It’s been since at least ’85, but perhaps earlier that we’ve been there. It has been such an accommodating home, with the ice time we’ve had and the icemakers there have been great at resurfacing and helping us during meets. It’s been a great relationship with the City,” says Marie Payne, Publicity and Fundraising Director.

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“It’s exciting to move, but also sad because we’re saying goodbye to the Kinex; but it is getting old and we can tell. The move will help the club be more visible to the public.”

Saturday’s event will be the first race for some of the club’s young members and they would appreciate some spectators, the club adds.

“We welcome you all to check out this exciting sport, and cheer on the racers,” says Payne. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll see some young skaters that will be at the 2030 Olympic Games.”

The Kinex won’t be demolished until the Dawe is operational, the City says.