A New Era in Northern Colorado Ice Sports

The City of Fort Collins Recreation Department proudly announces the official launch of speed skating in Fort Collins.



Realizing the benefits of this fast growing Olympic sport and our region's passion for ice sports, Recreation has invested in speed skating by outfitting Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC) with high quality speed skating track equipment and race essentials. The City of Fort Collins has recruited Olympic speed skater, Jondon Trevena, to serve as the program's coach, mentor and teacher. EPIC is one of only three speed skating facilities in the State of Colorado and the only facility north of Denver. We are proud to be the center-point of speed skating in Northern Colorado.
Over 1.2 million people per year visit EPIC making it the most active ice sports venue in Northern Colorado. The facility's figure skating, hockey and now speed skating programs consistently offer the community year-round programs, special events, competitions and activities. EPIC is only one of three speed skating venues in the State of Colorado. The facility is well-equipped to host large speed skating events and can accommodate 1,000 spectators. The City of Fort Collins looks forward to the facility serving as the home of Northern Colorado speed skating.

We look forward to recruiting new speed skaters and offering current ice skaters an alternative ice sport that can increase balance, power and speed.

Speed Skating Program Director: Jondon Trevena
Mr. Jondon Trevena is an Olympic speed skater who represented the USA in the Nagano 1998 Winter Olympic Games and the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games. He is excited to direct the City of Fort Collins' speed skating program and he is inspired by the potential of speed skating in Fort Collins. Mr. Trevena's priorities will be introducing the sport, encouraging its growth and promoting its benefits.

Speed Skating: The Benefits
Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
Our timing is perfect. The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics are just around the corner and we'll be ready for speed skating's popularity surge. The City of Fort Collins will ride the Olympic wave and experience an increase in the sport's participation and popularity.

Cross-Training
Speed skating is the perfect cross-training sport. Speed skating provides excellent strength, coordination, agility and power training. Athletes around the world have embraced speed skating as a beneficial cross-training sport for ice hockey, cycling, skiing, running and other sports. Our community's strong cycling and running presence will serve as a major interest area in promoting speed skating to athletic-minded community members.

Introduction to Speed Skating
The speed skating program provides a great opportunity for young ice skaters. Speed skating will quickly develop general ice skating skills as well as concentrate on specific skills like power, strength and ice agility.

Health and Social Benefits
Speed skating offers the community endless health benefits, helping individuals improve not only their strength, speed and flexibility but also their overall cardiovascular and respiratory health.

Last year a figure skater approached Jondon Trevena, City of Fort Collins Speed Skating Director, in hopes of developing new skating skills and losing weight. In a period of one year, this figure skater has lost 60 pounds and is now an avid speed skater. Speed skating also offers a great social component for young and older skaters interested in pursuing the sport, staying healthy and making friends.

Short Track Open 2008: Saturday, October 11, 2008

Before the competition, learn from the best at the free speed skating clinic!

Derek Parra:
- 2002 Olympic Gold Medallist & World Record Holder, 1500 meters
- 2002 Olympic Silver Medallist & American Record Holder, 5000 meters
- President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports - 2002-2004
- Author - Reflections in the Ice

Caroline Hallisey:
- 2006, 2002 and 1998 Olympian
- 2006 Olympics: 4th 3000m relay (Torino, Italy)
- 2002 Olympics: 5th 500m, 10th 1000m (Salt Lake City, USA)
- 2000 World Jr. Championships: 8th overall
- 1999 World Team Championships: 3rd relay
- 1998 Olympics: 5th 3000m relay (Nagano, Japan)

Jondon Trevena:
- 2002 US Olympic Team Member: 5000m
- 2002 US All-round Champion
- 2001 US All-round Champion
- US World Team Member
- US National Team Member
- 1998 US Olympic Team Member - 10,000m

Join us for the clinic and the competition!
Click here for more times and additional information about the Open Skate Event. (PDF 366KB)

Required Equipment, Fee and Waiver
Approved helmet, gloves, full-length sleeves and pants are required. The cost of entry is $25.00, this includes unlimited events and the clinic. A liability waiver is required for participation of minors. Parent or guardian signature required.

To download the registration form and liability waiver, click here. (PDF 142KB)

Speed Skating Corporate Sponsors

The City of Fort Collins is currently recruiting a few innovative, progressive-minded companies that can envision the growth potential of speed skating in Fort Collins and desire to play a key role in the sport's Northern Colorado expansion. The City of Fort Collins will partner with your organization as we encourage the positive values and benefits of speed skating. Together we will introduce and encourage community members of all ages to participate in this Olympic sport. Our co-branded message will be highly visible in marketing, special events and community-wide promotional campaigns.

As a corporate partner in the City of Fort Collins speed skating program, your company will be the leader as we launch a new era in ice sports. The community is ready for a new, fast sport. The facility is well-equipped and ready to be the home of Northern Colorado speed skating. The City of Fort Collins is ready...are you?

If you are ready and interested, click here to learn more about our Corporate Partnerships.