Calgary's premier winter sports destination, WinSport at Canada Olympic Park, has officially opened its slopes for the season, welcoming skiers and snowboarders back to its terrain. However, visitors will have to wait a bit longer to experience the full scope of a major, ongoing renovation, as the complete reopening of the Frank King Day Lodge has been postponed.
Season Starts Strong, Lodge Opening Pushed Back
The winter sports mecca on Calgary's western edge commenced its winter season this past Friday. Favourable conditions for snowmaking, combined with generous natural snowfall, have created a solid base for enthusiasts. Lifts are now operational, allowing access to the slopes.
Despite the seasonal opening, the highly anticipated $43-million facelift of the Frank King Day Lodge will not be fully completed this winter as initially hoped. WinSport has confirmed that the full building will not reopen during the 2025/26 season. The facility first opened nearly four decades ago for the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Quality Over Speed Drives Decision
In a press release, WinSport stated the decision was made "prioritizing quality and long-term impact over speed" after careful collaboration with construction partners. Spokesman Dale Oviatt acknowledged that the delay was not unexpected.
"The initial construction schedule was quite aggressive and we knew there was a chance we wouldn’t get access to the full day lodge in time for this winter," Oviatt said via email. He credited the construction team for their hard work in ensuring guest access to the second floor of the lodge was ready for opening day.
The logistics of moving operations onto the first floor in the middle of the winter season were deemed too challenging, even if construction allowed it. WinSport now expects the first floor of the modernized lodge to open next summer.
Partial Services and Holiday Hopes
For the time being, some services will be operating from alternative locations. Equipment rentals are being handled from a temporary setup in the northwest corner of the parking lot. There is hope, however, that the food court and the EIGHTYEIGHT Bar & Grill will be operational in time for the busy holiday season.
The massive modernization project, which began last year, is significant. It involves adding approximately 22,000 square feet to the facility while renovating another 58,000 square feet. The upgrades are designed to broaden the lodge's use and inclusivity, helping WinSport attract a wider range of visitors.
Key aspects of the renovation include:
- Retrofitting systems to achieve net-zero energy status.
- Expanding and optimizing guest space inside the lodge.
- Creating barrier-free access between the parking lot, day lodge, and recreation facilities.
This project marks the most substantial physical upgrade at Canada Olympic Park since the opening of the Markin MacPhail Centre in 2010. In the meantime, work continues on expanding the park's terrain, with plans to open an Advanced Terrain Park in time for the holidays.
