Informational meetings on the programs will be held Sept. 27 and 28.

LEWISTON – The Central Maine Figure Skating Academy Learn-to-Skate program is entering its third year.

The program offers a few different avenues of skating. Those who have never skated before will learn the basics. Those who have been skating and are interested in pursuing figure skating will have qualified instructors teach the art of figure skating, which will likely include jumps and spins.

The academy is attempting to expand into an official U.S. Figure Skating Association club. The school’s home rink is the newly renovated Central Maine Civic Center, home of the Mainiacs.

Around the close of the first session on Dec. 16, the academy will host an in-house competition. Skaters will compete against other skaters at their level (and most likely age). They will be judged by qualified judges on the required maneuvers and will be awarded medals for the place they come in. This is a great opportunity for skaters to gain experience in solo skating, experience the competition atmosphere and the excitement of receiving an award.

Those who are more serious about figure skating are invited to attend a competition at North Atlantic Figure Skating Club in Falmouth. The school had competitors participate in the competition for the past two years, and the number of skaters increased at last year’s event. Students brought home several medals and awards.

At the end of the second session, the End-of-the Season Show will be held, giving all the skaters an opportunity to show what they’ve learned. There are group, trio, couple and solo routines choreographed to music. Costumes are coordinated with the music. There were 19 routines presented last year.

The cost of the program is $105 a skater a session ($95 for each additional family member). Each session runs for 10 weeks. The first session will run from Saturday, Oct. 4, through Saturday, Dec. 6; second session, Jan. 10 to March 13. Classes are from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Each class consists of a half-hour of lessons and a half-hour of practice. The fee includes the lessons, an official individual USFSA membership, free rental skates (if needed) and two free public skating passes.

Preregistration is encouraged and is scheduled for noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, and 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, in the Central Maine Civic Center lobby, Birch Street.

An informational meeting has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, at the Multi-Purpose Center, Birch Street. The meeting will address all aspects of the program, including content, parental roles for skaters, the club’s goals for the year and creating a board of directors. It will allow parents and skaters to ask the director, Pam Murphy, and/or the instructors questions.

For more information, contact the center at 783-2009, Murphy at 784-9153 or e-mail [email protected].