When the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club hired Graeme Moore as its new head coach, he came from Red Deer as part of a package deal.
His wife had all the right credentials to fill the role as the club's general manager and they arrived in Prince George last week to take on prominent positions with one of the country's largest cross-country ski clubs.
As hosts of the cross-country skiing and biathlon events at the 2015 Canada Winter Games, the Caledonia club showed the rest of the country its facilities and trail conditions compare favourably with the best in the nation and it has the infrastructure and expertise to organize virtually any nordic event. The club's reputation, combined with the active outdoors-oriented lifestyle the city offers proved irresistible for Moore and his wife Cara.
"For a coach, this seems to be a bit of dream job," said Graeme Moore.
"The club is set up really nicely, right from Bunnyrabbits (beginner skiers) to university (ski racers) and we're happy to be here. The club is able to support a coach full-time with a long-term plan, so it feels good to come in and not worry about next year."
Both are certified canoe instructors and Moore plans to incorporate canoeing as a mandatory means of cross-training for his ski racers.
"The nature is so close to town, in fact it's even in town," said Graeme. "We like to paddle and hike and be outside so that's really appealing. The upgrades with the Canada Games from a skiing perspective are great and there's a huge ski community (1,800 members). We had one athlete (from Red Deer) who competed in the Games and we heard nothing but good things."
Moore, 33, raced for four years at the university level while studying at Augustana University in Camrose, Alta., where he earned a phys-ed degree in 2003. He coached at Red Deer College for three years and began coaching the Red Deer Nordics in 2005.
He was working as a welder in Red Deer when the Prince George offer came to him. He fills the head coaching role left vacant two years ago when Andrew Casey moved to Winnipeg. Moore started his new job on Monday.
Cara Moore, also 33, will be replacing Gillian Recknell as the club's GM. Cara is a graduate of Mount Royal University in Calgary with a degree in applied ecotourism and outdoor leadership.
"I'm really excited, this is exactly what I was hoping to move into - an active community where people are keen to be outside and be fit and excited about nature and enjoying winter," said Cara. "(Otway Nordic Centre) has lit trails and is set up for being used all the time, which is awesome."
Cara was working for a non-profit group in Red Deer and also served an administrative role for Red Deer Nordics when she
accepted the Caledonia position.
"We both went to school for these things and now to be able to use them and support our family doing it is amazing," said Cara. "It's the perfect fit. Prince George has a lot to offer, it's a great community and we already feel at home."
Graeme and Cara have two children, Scott, 4, and Piper, 2.
