December 25, 2004 – Alberta will host world cup cross-country ski races next year in Canmore. It will be the first time the races have been held in Canada in a decade, and will be one of the last events during Alberta’s Centennial year. They will feature over 150 athletes from 16 countries, including Alberta’s own Beckie Scott and Sara Renner.

The cross-country ski races will take place in Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park in December 2005. The cross-country and biathlon sport facilities and trails at the Canmore Nordic Centre are being upgraded to meet current international standards. The races will kick off with a four-person relay among nations on December 15, 2005. On December 17, men will ski 30 km and women 15 km on the Olympic trails and the new Centennial trails. Culminating the week of racing and ski festival activities will be the team sprints on December 18. Two world cup races will also be held at Sovereign Lake in Vernon, B.C. on December 10 and 11, 2005.

“An upgraded Canmore Nordic Centre puts Alberta back on the world scene for the 2005 World Cup, and for events leading up to and after the 2010 Winter Olympics,” said Gary Mar, Minister of Community Development. “These upgrades will benefit recreational and competitive skiers alike.”

“Our investment ensures that the Nordic Centre will continue its standing as a world-class facility,” said Dr. Lyle Oberg, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. “Albertans and cross country skiing enthusiasts from around the world will benefit from a revitalized facility in one of Canada’s most scenic destinations.”

“In addition to the ski races, volunteers from throughout Alberta and the host community of Canmore are busy planning creative activities such as a street dance, arts displays and a Nordic Stampede,” said Robert Hogg, co-chair of the World Cup Local Organizing Committee. “There will be entertainment for the spectators throughout the race days. Bring your skis! Ski the recreational trails in Kananaskis Country and at the Canmore Nordic Centre. There will be fun for the whole family.”

“Hosting the 2005 World Cup events during Alberta’s Centennial year gives us the opportunity to showcase our community and a revitalized Canmore Nordic Centre, which will have significant economic, sport and recreation impacts, locally,” added Ron Casey, Mayor of Canmore.

The provincial government is working to minimize the impact of construction upgrades on users of the trails and facilities in Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park. Recreational users will continue to enjoy the use of trails in the park; staff are investigating alternate, safe, access points into the trail system during the construction period next year.

Information on the Alberta Centennial World Cup is available at www.xcountryab.net. For information on the upgrade visit: www.cd.gov.ab.ca/parks/kananaskis

Background Information – Canmore Nordic Centre Upgrade

In June 2004, the Minister of Community Development and the local MLA for Banff-Cochrane, Janis Tarchuk, announced that the Canmore Nordic Centre, site of the Nordic skiing events for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, would receive a $16.6 million upgrade.

A Sport Advisory Committee, with membership from the major sport and recreational stakeholders, was struck very early in the planning process, and has been providing valuable technical input to the project steering committee. Members of the advisory committee are:

-Beckie Scott (Sport Advisor, Athlete – 2002 Olympic Gold Medalist)
-Alf Skrastins (Recreation Advisor, Calgary Area Outdoor Council – represents many Calgary/Canmore area clubs and organizations that use the Canmore Nordic Centre)
-John Gallagher (Recreation Advisor, on-site novice through to intermediate recreational needs as well as all levels of ski instructional needs)
-Paul Dorotich (Sport Advisor, Biathlon Canada/Alberta and Biathlon sport development needs)
-Robert Hogg (Sport Advisor, XC World Cup Society, LOC of Alberta Centennial World Cup 2005)
-Tom Holland (Sport Advisor, Cross Country Canada/National Ski Team and XC sport development)
In addition to establishment of the Sport Advisory Committee, the project steering committee conducted a series of information sessions in late September 2004 with stakeholders such as the Town of Canmore, Calgary Olympic Development Association, local leaseholders, and numerous sport and recreational organizations that utilize the Canmore Nordic Centre for both winter and summer activities. This input was valuable to the steering committee in identifying a variety of elements important to the redevelopment plan.

Upgrading of the Canmore Nordic Centre is proceeding on schedule and is expected to be completed in time for the World Cup, with some construction already underway. Both the planning and construction have been fast-tracked to meet the December 2005 deadline.

Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, located in Kananaskis Country about one hour west of Calgary, accommodated the cross-country ski and biathlon facilities constructed for the 1988 Calgary Olympics, and includes groomed trails for advanced, intermediate and novice skiers. Other existing facilities include a paved roller ski-training loop, mountain biking trails, and a major disc-golfing course, making this a popular year-round destination.

Additional information on the planned upgrades will be made available through displays that will be set up at the Canmore Nordic Centre.