Nearly four decades after it began use as a media centre for the 1988 Winter Olympics, work on a long-awaited upgrade and expansion of WinSport’s day lodge is set to begin.
The project will add about 22,000 sq. ft. to the facility at Canada Olympic Park (COP) while renovating another 58,000 sq. ft., said WinSport President Barry Heck.
But just as significant, he said, is how the work will broaden the use of the Frank King Day Lodge once work is completed in about one and a half years.
“It’ll be able to serve a wider group of our guests, it’ll be way more inclusive and modernized,” said Heck, just before a Thursday groundbreaking ceremony for the project.
“There has been a continuous re-invigoration of our campus to acknowledge community needs.”
The renovations will include retrofitting its systems to make it a net-zero facility, expanding and optimizing guest space inside the day lodge and building barrier-free access between the parking lot, day lodge and recreation facilities.
It’s the most significant physical project at COP since the opening of the Markin MacPhail Centre in 2010, a sport complex which has expanded its use beyond a hockey rink to host events such as concerts, said Heck.
“Now it’s the day lodge’s turn,” he said.
The facility at the base of the COP ski hill has faithfully served its purpose since Calgary welcomed the world in 1988 but has outlived its life cycle, said the WinSport head.
It’s witnessed the decommissioning of the park’s ski jumps and more recently its sliding track and the construction of facilities like the Markin MacPhail.
During phased-in construction, most of the existing day lodge will be open for summer operations and a portion will remain in use during the coming winter, with activities like ski schools going ahead as usual, said Heck.
Of the up to $43 million price tag, about $17.5 million is coming from the federal government with a similar amount from the province. The rest will be made up from sponsorship, philanthropy and WinSport’s own resources, he said.
“It’s very generous and crucial support from all levels of government,” said Heck.
But he’s said WinSport – which attracts 1.2 million visitor a year – has consistently operated at a financial loss, one of the reasons it’s hoping to attract a wider clientele.
Utility expenses alone have recently been expected to reach $3.5 million annually.
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