Spokane has moved one step closer to becoming the center of the ice skating world.

It has been selected as one of United States Figure Skating’s top candidates for the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships – assuming it’s held in the U.S. – and officials are expected to be here on a site survey March 29-30.

Barb Beddor, one-half of the Star USA promoting team working on bringing the championship to Spokane, declined to give details.

“While I would not like to read more into this than we know, we have always believed we have submitted a great bid and are excited about the prospect of getting to the next level,” she said.

Star USA, which also is the promoter for the 2007 U.S. National Championships to be held in Spokane next January, is one of two or three cities USFS likely will visit. Its decision is expected by mid-April. Soon after, the name will be submitted to the International Skating Union, which will announce the winning bidder sometime between summer and fall.

This year’s world championships will be held later this month in Calgary, Alberta. Next year’s are in Tokyo.

The Spokane campaign got off the ground in October, with the backing of Gov. Chris Gregoire. The governor traveled to Spokane for the announcement and said landing the event in Spokane “will be a state effort.” The state’s supplemental budget, which Gregoire is expected to sign this month, includes $100,000 to support the 2007 event in Spokane. Another $500,000 is promised if the city wins the 2009 world bid.

The governor’s spokeswoman, Althea Cawley-Murphee, said she is unsure whether Gregoire will be in Spokane for the site survey because she has hundreds of legislative bills to sign by the end of the month.

“The governor is aware Spokane is a finalist,” Cawley-Murphee said.