WinSport calls for reinvestment as facilities age
Posted Mar 30, 2022 10:44 am.
Last Updated Mar 30, 2022 10:49 am.
WinSport—once the crown jewel of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics—is beginning to show its age, and says it’s time for a facelift.
The company is calling on the City of Calgary and the federal government to invest more money into the facility, highlighting Calgary’s image as an active city.
Jennifer Konopaki is the Executive Director of Sport at WinSport, and she says buildings are falling apart and they are dealing with floods year after year.
WATCH: CityNews’ Jasmine Vickaryous reports on the aging WinSport buildings in need of financial assistance.
“A lot of our infrastructure is at end-of-life,” Konopaki said. “The needed financial commitment to ensure the longevity and the sustainability and continued existence of these facilities and infrastructure. We are asking for that at a federal level.”
As the city undergoes a branding exercise, WinSport is calling for the recognition of sport and active living as a central factor in the city’s image.
The aging Olympic venue would have benefited from two high-profile events but neither went through. Calgary won a bid to host the 2020 X-Games but funding was pulled by the United Conservative Party, effectively canceling the event in the city.
Calgarians also voted against hosting the 2026 Olympics, causing the city to pull out of its bid. Both events would have brought enough funding and revenue to update the facilities.
READ MORE:
-
Canadian gymnasts ask for investigation into ‘toxic’ culture
-
Canada qualifies for 2022 FIFA World Cup
City Councillor and former Olympian Jasmine Mian says it is important for the city to continue investing in sports and recreation.
“It’s Calgary’s great strength that we are a sports city,” Mian says. “Making those reinvestments is really critical to ensure that we have an active city and Olympians as well.”
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek says she supports WinSport’s appeal and sent a letter to the federal government requesting more funding.
“We are hoping that they follow through on their commitment to ensure that Calgarian’s lives are well served by sport and we will wait and see,” Gondek said. “I will continue to advocate on behalf of WinSport.”
