(August 31, 2006)

HomeSense is the new title sponsor of Skate Canada International. The four-year contract will see HomeSense as the title sponsor of the event until 2010.

The 2006 HomeSense Skate Canada International will take place November 2-5 at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, B.C., and will feature some of the world’s best figure skating talent : Canadian champions Jeffrey Buttle, Joannie Rochette, Valérie Marcoux and Craig Buntin, Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon, along with two-time world champion and 2006 Olympic silver medallist Stéphane Lambiel of Switzerland, Japan’s 2006 world silver medallist Fumie Suguri and 2006 Olympic silver medallists and world silver medallists Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang of China.

Launched in 2001, HomeSense currently operates over 50 retail stores in Canada. One of Canada’s leading home fashion retailers, HomeSense is adding to its support of Skate Canada, as it is currently the title sponsor of the HomeSense national STARSkate Championships. HomeSense also presents the Skate Canada STARSkate program, the STARSkate program athlete award and the national youth camp.

HomeSense is also involved in other community activities. HomeSense is a national sponsor of the Canadian Women’s Foundation’s national fundraising campaign « Shelter From the Storm ». HomeSense also supports charities like Sunshine Dreams for Kids, an organization dedicated to making dreams come true for children with severe physical disabilities or life threatening illnesses. HomeSense is also willing to support community-based events, festivals and organizations.