2010 Olympic Update
The Resort has applied for a grant from Western Economic Diversification
to help fund a trio of projects. The projects include finishing the
trailhead accessing Strathcona Park from Raven Lodge, a Nordic Stadium
and accompanying cross-country and biathlon accoutrements and the Mountain
Sports Centre.
The Nordic Stadium would include three kilometres of cross-country trails
for training, five kilometres of brand new competition trails, a timing
hut for biathlon events and power, sewer and water hook-ups to the buildings
making up the Mountain Sports Centre.
“I’ve never felt so optimistic as now,” said Don Sharpe,
Resort Director, Business Services. Sharpe was expecting a decision
on the grant application to come after the Marmot went to press.
The money will be applied to Legacies Now funding, for a total project
cost of $660,000.
From a team attraction perspective, the committee will send a contingent
to World Cup Cross-Country races at Silver Star and Canmore, Alta. “What
we want to do is meet the coaches and managers - the people who run
the teams - and tell them they’ve got to be coming over here,”
Sharpe said.
Mount Washington isn’t the only resort chasing the Olympic dream,
Sun Peaks Resort in Kamloops is investing $3 million in its own Race
Centre. However, Sharpe doesn’t expect Sun Peaks’ plans
to interfere with Mount Washington’s plans.
“Sun Peaks’ project will be for alpine skiing. We’re
focusing on nordic,” Sharpe said. Sun Peaks has already spent
$1 million upgrading its Coquihalla run (now called the Nancy Greene
International Race Centre) with improved snowmaking, safety netting
and wiring for the electronic timing of races. The run was also opened
up to allow for high-speed slalom and giant-slalom racing.
The Comox Valley’s Spirit of Community Committee is also planning
a four-year countdown event for February 11, 2006, at Simms Millennium
Park in Courtenay.
Last year’s countdown saw former Olympians from Vancouver Island
parade through the park, signing autographs along with Special Olympians
who hosted the 2005 Provincial Summer Games in the Comox Valley last
June.