Regional Skating Competition

At the Fresno Convention Center, Fresno, CA

The Southwestern Regional Competition (for CA, AZ & NV) will be held at:
Fresno Convention Center
848 M Street
Fresno, CA 93721
(559) 445-8100

Dates: June 25 to July 2, 2011

Schedule as of June 3 (via email)

USARS Page for Southwestern Regionals

Make your hotel reservations early. Ask for the "Skater Rate".

---Hotels---
Radisson
This hotel is right across the street from the Convention Center.
It is the closest hotel, and the most expensive.
No free breakfast, but there is a nice restaurant which serves breakfast in the hotel. Warning: breakfast is expensive.
Free parking for guests. Indoor pool. Neighborhood: medium.
2233 Ventura St
Fresno
(559) 268-1000

Super 8
Very close to the Convention Center. Free wireless internet, but it is not reliable. Not recommended if internet access is important.
Contentantal breakfast. Free parking. Rooms are very small. Outdoor pool.
Neighborhood: medium.
2127 Inyo St, Fresno, CA
Phone: 559-268-0621

La Quinta
A 1 mile walk from the Convention Center, La Quinta is popular with skaters.
Free high-speed wireless internet. Free parking. Next door to El Torito and Int'l House of Pancakes, and Fresh and Easy.
Free breakfast: Cereal, milk, apples, bananas, waffles, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt,
danish, toast, coffee and juice.
Outdoor pool. Some noise from the Amtrak train station, and the train crosses between the hotel and the Convention Center. You can walk this distance, but it
can be very hot during the day. You can drink water at the trains station (about
1/2 way). Neighborhood: medium.
2926 Tulare St, Fresno, CA
(800) 531-5900 (559) 442-1110

Best Value Water Tree
This hotel has big rooms, a nice breakfast, and a pool. Parking is free. Free wireless hi-speed internet.
It is popular with skaters, and it is across the street from a nice mall, and near a chinese restaurant
and other restaurants. There is a liquor store across the street.
Free breakfast includes cereal, oatmeal, juice, coffee, toast, danish and bagels. Outdoor pool. Neighborhood: Good.
4141 N Blackstone Ave
Fresno, CA 93726
(559) 222-4445

Madera Valley Inn
Farthest away (around 10 minutes), but best price.
This hotel has very big rooms, a nice breakfast, and a pool. Parking is free. Free wireless hi-speed internet. It has a nice coffee shop. Neighborhood: Good.
317 N. G Street
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 664-0100

Notes

REGISTRATION

The registration desk is inside the front lobby of the convention center (look for the signs!)
11:00 am - 4:00pm Saturday, June 25 (and/or as you arrive in Fresno for your events)
You MUST have your current amateur card (the letter they sent you with your # and I.D.
Skaters will get credentials which must be worn & will get you in without paying.
Lost credentials will not be replaced, so don't lose them! If lost, you have to buy daily tickets.

SPECTATOR PRICES

During skating events you pay $7.00 for morning & $7.00 for evening (the all event wristband is
$75.00 and keeps you out of the ticket lines.)
Wristbands and day passes are purchased at the box office near registration.
Kids under 4 are admitted free. Skaters may see all events free (with badge).

PARKING

There is a daily charge to park at the convention center, you can go in and out. Probably $5-7.
You can also try to park in the Radisson lot if it's not full or the parking meters on the street.
Parking on the street is free on Sundays.

PRACTICE

Depending on timing, there might be practice on the regional floor on June 25. If so, it will be $6
per skater & per spectators. Skaters who don't practice are admitted with their badge.
Double-check the practice times when you get your program.
With the closing of the Fresno rink, private practice time is limited. Try to attend open
practices at Clovis and keep in contact with your coach about possible private times.
Private practices usually cost each skater $4-8. (Bring cash, exact change is best).
Although not mandatory, it is advisable to attend the official practices.
There is also practice on the regional floor from 6:00-8:15 am each day, for $6.00.
These practices are intended for today's and tomorrow's events only.

EVENTS AND PRACTICE CALL TIMES

For events be COMPLETELY READY TO SKATE one hour before your event time.
For practice be ready with skates on 15 minutes before practice time.

ATTIRE

It is often cold in the auditorium. Bring a jacket or sweater.
Costumes must be approved by your coach prior to regionals.
Club costume should be worn for any auditorium practice and for opening ceremonies.
(It appears that this year there is no opening ceremony.)
NO holes in tights on the auditorium floor. NO jackets, cover-ups, tee-shirts, tank tops on
the auditorium floor. NO socks showing under tights. Hair MUST be kept neat & tidy.
Figure skaters need in-the-boot tights and polished skates on the auditorium floor.
Outside of the auditorium, females MUST cover up completely or change in the auditorium.

MISCELLANEOUS COSTS

Professional videos, if available, usually run $20 to $35 per event and MUST be ordered
BEFORE the event skates. (Save $10 on first order by bringing your own tape/DVD.)
2010 was the first year we did not have a professional to take video. Be prepared.
Professional photographs are available. The cheapest package is around $40. If your skater
places in their event, plan on ordering photos since we will need to hang one in the rink.
Auditorium food is very expensive. Subway & Quiznos are close by, but, cannot be brought into
the auditorium.
Coach fees: prior to regionals a check is ok. At regionals, plan on paying in cash.

NATIONAL ENTRY FEE

Since national forms are due while we are practically still in Fresno, see your club representative
as soon as you qualify to sign forms and pay fees for all events (Entry fee is $60.00 for
each event, I think.) Try to do this before you leave Fresno!