Canada supports athletic development and tourism with funding for new WinSport sliding track

CALGARY, May 11, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada recognizes that investing in high-quality sports and recreation infrastructure is key to promoting Canada's athletes and supporting active lifestyles. Developing these venues also helps increase sports event tourism, creating economic growth and strengthening the middle class.

Today, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, visited Canada Olympic Park to announce more than $6.8 million in funding for improvements to the WinSport sliding track. The track is one of only two bobsled and luge facilities in Canada.

The project consists of remodelling 360 metres of track and realigning the structure to more effectively integrate the bobsled and luge tracks. Sun shades and a modern refrigeration system will also be installed to improve the efficiency of the track's cooling system. These upgrades will mean that WinSport can continue to host national and international bobsleigh, skeleton and luge events, provincial and local competitions, and dynamic community sports programming in a word-class facility for decades to come.

Quotes

"Investing in recreational infrastructure like WinSport's sliding track at Canada Olympic Park helps ensure Canadians have the opportunity to pursue sporting activities and reach their full potential as individuals and part of a community. I am proud that the Government of Canada is investing in this exciting project, which will ensure safe and reliable training grounds for athletes, attract more tourists to the region and help foster Canada's reputation for excellence in winter sports."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"We're happy the Government of Canada is joining us with refurbishing the sliding track at WinSport. Last year the Government of Alberta announced a total $10-million investment over two years to modernize the sliding track through the province's Capital Plan.  It is an investment in our athletes, economy and tourism industry. I'm pleased that today's additional funding will enable Alberta's athletes to continue to train at an outstanding facility and maintain WinSport's standing as a world-class sport centre."

The Honourable Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Alberta Culture and Tourism

"We would like to thank the Government of Canada for its contribution to the refurbishment of our sliding track, which helps support our purpose of inspiring and activating human potential through the spirit of sport. WinSport's Canada Olympic Park is a living legacy of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and the refurbishment will help us maintain our standing as a world-class facility and allow us to continue to provide a place for Canadians to discover, develop and excel at sport for generations to come."

Barry M. Heck, WinSport President and CEO

Quick facts

• Canada Olympic Park was the venue for several winter Olympic events, including bobsled, luge and ski jumping, when Calgary hosted the 1988 Winter Olympic Games.
• Since the 1988 Winter Games, the WinSport sliding track has helped produce 14 Olympic medals for Canadian athletes in the three sliding sports, and it continues to be the home to national and developmental programs.
• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• $25.3 billion of this funding will support social infrastructure (including recreational and cultural) in Canadian communities.

Associated links

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan (PDF Version):
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/site/alt-format/pdf/plan/icp-pic/IC-InvestingInCanadaPlan-ENG.pdf

Investing in Canada plan project map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Alberta: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/ab-eng.html

Smart Cities Challenge: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/cities-villes/index-eng.html  

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada