The new Battlefords Co-op Aquatic Centre was put to full use over the weekend with the Marnie Eistetter Synchronized Swimming Figures Meet.
The provincial Figures Meet was Sunday while a Figures Camp was held Saturday at the new Aquatic Centre. Among the activities Saturday was a Water Show in the morning featuring performances from a number of synchronized swimmers.
Among those sharing their skills Saturday were Elise Marcotte, who competed in the past two Olympics on the Canadian national team. Canadian National Team member Claudia Holzner was also on hand and performed a couple of routines in the pool during the Water Show program.
They were on hand among the guest clinicians to teach synchro skills to those in attendance, with a variety of water and land sessions taking place.
According to Sheila Parker, head coach of North Battleford Water Doves, approximately 125 athletes took part in the figures camp and about 200 were there for the water show. She said they were "really lucky" to have Olympic athletes here to help out.
The Figures Meet event Sunday attracted teams from across the province, with the Water Doves the home team at the event. There were recreational, provincial stream and national stream swimmers who competed from around the province at that event, in several age categories.
Unfortunately, the eight competitors from the local club weren't able to post any first-place finishes but team member Kylie Burnett did place third in the age 16 to 18 PS category with a score of 54.418. Breah Weber placed sixth at 53.915.
Calista Thomas placed 14th in the 10 and Under PS category with a score of 42.643. Courtney Roberts was 15th in the 12 and Under Provincial Stream with a score of 46.085; Emma Kowalski finished 20th in the same category at 43.085 and Keifer Gidych placed 24th at 39.165.
In the 13-15 PS category Jenna Parker placed ninth with a score of 50.748. Jolie Bossaer finished 18th at 49.25.
Overall, coach Parker was very happy with her team's performance and also with the new venue.
"It's amazing, the new facility is wonderful," said Parker. She said there were "a lot of really good comments that came back from the other clubs throughout the province. Everyone was really excited about it."
She said people were "quite in awe" and says it bodes well for the club in hosting provincial events in the future. Now that provincial competitors have seen and used the pool, she said, "hopefully we'll be able to get a few more competitions here and a few more routines competitions as well."
