The Outdoor Ice Oval Society hopes Mother Nature works in its favour for the remainder of this week.
That's because the oval is the host site of the B.C. long track speed skating championships this weekend, a test event for the 2015 Canada Winter Games Feb. 13 to March 1 in Prince George.
But before athletes can don their skates, skin suits and glasses, society president Kathy Lewis said there's quite a bit of preparation going on to ensure a level playing field for everyone.
The lines separating the race lanes were painted on Sunday by a core group of volunteers. Now all that's needed are several nights of below-freezing temperatures to build a solid base of ice - a two-centimetre layer above the lines to be exact.
"Right now we're building up a base of ice with flooding," Lewis said. "We've had the ice surveyed and precise markings, the start and finish lines, have been installed so we just need layers on top of that. A person will certify the track to ensure it's a sanctioned race with the right dimensions."
Crash mats will also be put into place along the two crash corners and an electronic timer, which includes three cameras from Fort St. John, is being delivered this week.
Temporary trailers that will act as temporary dressing rooms for the athletes at the oval site will arrive today.
The event is co-hosted by the Prince George Blizzard, Fort St. James Falcons and Fort St. John Elks speed skating clubs.
Carolina and Nico Hiller - 17-year-old twin siblings from the Blizzard - qualified for Team B.C.'s long track team and will compete in their hometown Canada Games.
Besides serving as a test event for the Canada Winter Games, the B.C. championships will also double as a qualifier for the Canadian age class championships.
"The Hillers are skating and there will be some pretty fast younger kids - [they'll] be hitting some pretty good times," said Lewis. "We're encouraging everyone to come on out and watch."
Racing gets underway Saturday morning and continues throughout the day. It resumes Sunday morning (9:15 a.m. tentatively) and goes until 3:45 p.m. with the medal ceremonies to follow.
To ensure ideal racing conditions, the oval is closed to public skating until further notice.
Lewis asks everyone to keep checking the website (www.pgoval.ca) for updates.
