Calgary’s Olympic Oval is getting an upgrade.
The federal and provincial governments are equally splitting a $52-million contribution to the renewal of the speedskating facility built for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.
It is one of the few remaining legacy projects of the 1988 Calgary Olympic Games. Now the Olympic Speedskating Oval is getting a $52 million upgrade to extend the life of what is known as “the fastest ice in the world.”
Global News file photo
The oval on the University of Calgary campus has served as a community, university and high-performance athletic facility and the home of the national speedskating team for almost four decades.
The oval’s ability to make ice is nearing the end of its life, however, because of brine leaks in aging pipe connections in its floor.
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Among the improvements the Oval needs are upgrades to its ice plant, concrete and floor replacements and other renovations including improved access for people with disabilities.
The ice slab in the Olympic Oval has about 400 connections to its cooling system and has been experiencing more and more leaks every year.
Global News file photo
The federal government announced an additional investment of $7.67 million into ski and snowboard facilities in Quebec, Yukon, Alberta and B.C.
The feds have also promised a $3-million top-up to the Athletic Assistance Program, which provides Canada’s high-performance athletes monthly cheques to help pay their bills.
With files from Global News.
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