The federal and Alberta governments are splitting a $52-million investment to upgrade and modernize Calgary’s Olympic Oval, officials announced Monday, July 27.
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Each level of government is committing $26 million to fund critical infrastructure repairs at the world-renowned speed skating facility, which originally opened for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games.
The funds will cover major mechanical and structural updates, including the replacement of the Oval’s original refrigerated concrete slab, installation of a new ice plant and upgrades to electrical, mechanical and safety systems.
“This investment will preserve one of Canada’s premier sport facilities, supporting high-performance athlete development while helping strengthen Canada’s sport system,” Alberta minister of tourism and sport Andrew Boitchenko said in a statement.
Adam van Koeverden, federal Secretary of State for Sport, praised the long-standing legacy of the venue, often dubbed “The Fastest Ice in the World.”
“Together, with the Government of Alberta, we are ensuring the long-term operation of the fastest ice in the world, where Olympic medalists have trained, won and set countless world records,” van Koeverden said.
Located at the University of Calgary, the facility serves as an International Skating Union (ISU) Centre of Excellence and has been the training ground for 26 Olympic medallists who have earned 40 Olympic medals for Canada. Notable alumni include two-time Olympic champion Catriona Le May Doan, Cindy Klassen, Clara Hughes and Denny Morrison.
Beyond elite sports training, the facility hosts national and international speed skating events — generating more than $33 million for Calgary’s local economy between 2022 and 2024 — and welcomes over 40,000 public recreational skaters each year.
Olympic Oval director Mark Messer welcomed the joint funding, noting it will secure the venue’s future across multiple disciplines.
“We want to keep turning out medallists from this building, and it’s not just speed skaters – we have hockey players, bobsledders, lugers and biathletes,” Messer said. “This funding will allow us to be the medal factory that continues to train athletes for the Olympics on a national level.”
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