The Canmore Nordic Centre, site of the Nordic skiing events for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, will receive a $16.5 million upgrade in support of the Calgary-Canmore World Cup Cross-Country Skiing event bid for 2005. Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Community Development, responsible for sport, recreation and parks, and Janis Tarchuk, MLA for Banff-Cochrane, made the announcement at the Canmore Nordic Centre today.
Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, located in Kananaskis Country about one hour west of Calgary, accommodated the cross-country and biathlon facilities constructed for the Calgary Olympics, and includes 70 kms of groomed trails for advanced, intermediate and novice skiers. Other facilities include a paved roller ski-training loop, mountain biking trails, and a major disc-golfing course, making this a popular year-round destination.
The Alberta Government will provide an additional $425,000 over two years to the Foothills Nordic Ski Club to support the hosting of the Calgary-Canmore World Cup in 2005 assuming its bid is successful, Zwozdesky said. The 2005 World Cup event in Canmore will yield considerable training and competitive benefits to Canadian cross-country skiers in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics to be held in Whistler, British Columbia.
Canmore Nordic Centre Upgrading
The $16.5 million upgrade to the Canmore Nordic Centre will restore the facility to international competition standards and accommodate increased visitation. The refurbishment will include:
Replacement of snow guns and addition of 30 new guns;
Replacement of biathlon targets with current technology;
Equipment replacement;
Replacement and expansion of the snow making system;
Replacement of public address system and media infrastructure;
Replacement of two scoreboards;
Expansion of stadiums;
Improvements to site and trail lighting;
Improvements to signage and landscaping;
Upgrade of bridges and erosion control;
Expansion of walkways, roadways and parking;
Upgrade and expansion of buildings;
Development of controlled instructional area;
Construction of new storage buildings;
Upgrade and expansion of maintenance building; and
Site grading and paving at maintenance compound.
Benefits
Restores ability to host Olympic-caliber events and re-establishes international credibility;
Reliable snow making system;
Extends the ski season from 120 days to 165 days;
Continue to meet partner and contractual obligations with the ability to explore new opportunities;
Increases current level of recreational use and tourism visitation;
Maximizes the probability of maintaining National Training Centre status; and
Enhances economic benefit to the Bow Valley Corridor, the City of Calgary and the Province of Alberta.
