The Temple Gardens Centre was filled with music, movement and team spirit on Feb. 6 and 7 as the Best of the West Cheer and Dance Championships returned for a two-day competition.

The event brought hundreds of athletes, coaches and families into the downtown arena for a packed schedule of performances spanning cheer and dance divisions, from youth specialty routines to high-level all-star teams.

Shauna Fritzler, general manager of the Temple Gardens Centre, said the weekend was one the venue looked forward to each year.

“The building is full. It’s busy. The music, the sound — it’s great. The routines that the teams do are just phenomenal,” she said.

From a tourism perspective, the championships were expected to bring strong foot traffic to the downtown core, with an estimated 1,600 athletes competing throughout the weekend.

“We’re very excited to be welcoming so many athletes and their coaches and families to the city,” said Everley Reid on behalf of Tourism Moose Jaw.

The championships were held at the Temple Gardens Centre, located at 110 First Avenue Northwest. For more information, including a full event schedule, visit BestOfTheWestCheer.com.

Aaron Walker

Reporter

Moose Jaw Express