The Russian Figure Skating team will be holding their pre-Games training camp in Abbotsford from Feb. 1-17 at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre (ARC).

The Russian squad has offered a training clinic to the Abbotsford Figure Skating Club as part of their stay.

The public is welcome to watch the Russian skaters train from a designated viewing area on the second floor of the ARC anytime during their training camp. Seating is limited so the public should be prepared to be rotated out every 20 to 30 minutes depending on the demand.

A public meet and greet and community barbecue with the Russian skaters will be held on Feb. 7 from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the ARC.

On this date, during the morning and evening practices, all 380 plus arena seats will be open for the public to watch the Russians trains.

To top off the day, the Torch arrives the same day in Abbotsford and will be coming through the ARC at approximately 4:50 p.m.

The estimated economic impact of the Russian Figure Skating team training camp is $88,000 which does not include spectator expenditures.

“We have received inquiries from all over the Lower Mainland asking if they can watch the Russian figure skaters train and can they buy tickets”, says Allison Longshore of Tourism Abbotsford.

“I wish I could have seen their faces when I told them yes you can watch them train and it’s free.”

The public is welcome to watch the Russian skaters train on:

Feb. 1 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.

Feb. 2 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.

Feb. 3 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.

Feb. 4 – 10 a.m. to noon and 4-6 p.m.

Feb. 5 – 10 a.m. to noon and 4-6 p.m.

Feb. 6 – 10 a.m. to noon and 4-6 p.m.

Feb. 7 – 10 a.m. to noon, 12;15 to 1:15 p.m, 4:45 to 6:45 p.m. and 7-8 p.m.

Feb. 8 – 9:15 to 11:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 4-6 p.m. and 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 9 – 9:15 to 11:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 3-5 p.m. and 5:15- 6:15 p.m.

Feb. 10 – 9:15 to 11:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 5-7 p.m. and 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.

Feb. 11 – 9:15 to 11:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 3-5 p.m. and 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.

Feb. 12 – 9:15 to 11:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 to 8:45 p.m.

Feb. 13 – 10 a.m. to noon, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., 5-7 p.m. and 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.

Feb. 14 – 10 a.m. to noon and 4-6 p.m.

Feb. 15 – 10 a.m. to noon and 4-6 p.m.

Feb. 16 – 10 a.m. to noon and 5-7 p.m.

Feb. 17 – 10 a.m. to noon and 4-6 p.m.

* Practices may be cancelled if athletes become ill, injured or are suffering from jet lag.