Investment from federal and provincial governments will help modernize one of Canada’s most iconic sport facilities
CALGARY, ALBERTA – For nearly 40 years, the Olympic Oval in Calgary has been a hub for Canada’s top speed skaters, all while serving grassroots competitors and the broader community. On Monday morning, representatives from the Government of Canada and Government of Alberta were on hand to announce a combined $52 million investment in the facility, ensuring that one of the country’s most unique sporting venues can continue serving Canadians for decades to come.
Build for the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, the Oval’s aging infrastructure was making it increasingly difficult to make and maintain quality ice. This renovation aims to modernize and revitalize the facility, featuring a greener, energy-efficient ice plant and new ice slab to boost efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Other upgrades will include a wider access tunnel, a revamped running track, renewed office spaces and hosting areas, as well improvements to accessibility and inclusivity.
Joe Morissette, Chief Executive Officer, Speed Skating Canada“On behalf of Speed Skating Canada and the entire Canadian speed skating community, I want to sincerely thank the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta for this tremendous investment in the Olympic Oval and in our sport. For nearly 40 years, the Olympic Oval has played an important role in keeping Canadians healthy and active, providing a unique space for people of all ages to learn and enjoy one of our country’s most recognizable pastimes.”
Since opening as one the world first covered long track speed skating oval’s ahead Calgary 1988, the facility has helped legends of the sport like Catriona Le May Doan, Jeremy Wotherspoon, Clara Hughes, Cindy Klassen, Denny Morrison and more achieve Olympic success. More recently, the likes of Ted-Jan Bloemen, Isabelle Weidemann and Ivanie Blondin have reached the top of the Olympic podium while calling the Olympic Oval home.
The investment in the facility comes at an important time for Canada’s high performance program, as a new generation of speed skaters will be looking to make their mark on the world’s stage over the next few Olympic quadrennials. Having access to a modernized, world-class facility will go a long way in ensuring Canada remains one of the top speed skating nations in the world and continues to challenge for World Cup, World Championship and Olympic podiums.
Outside of housing one of two national training centres, the Olympic Oval has also built a reputation as one of the premier facilities for hosting national and international events. Over the years, the Oval has hosted dozens of World Cups and multiple World Championships, including the 2024 ISU World Single Distance Speed Skating Championships, where Canadian skaters won a record 10 medals and welcomed over 9,000 spectators and 600 students across three competition days. The World Championships were named International Event of the Year at Sport Tourism Canada’s annual PRESTIGE Awards, helping cement Speed Skating Canada’s position as a hosting powerhouse in the speed skating world.
Joe Morissette, Chief Executive Officer, Speed Skating Canada“The Oval has long served as a national training centre for Canada’s top speed skaters as they pursued their Olympic dreams. With 47 Olympic medals, long track speed skating is Canada’s most successful Olympic sport, and access to a world-class facility such as the Olympic Oval has been instrumental to our sustained success on the international stage. This $52 million investment will ensure that Canada’s top athletes continue to have access to the ‘Fastest Ice in the World,’ while recreational skaters and the broader community continue to benefit from this iconic Calgary 1988 legacy venue, just as previous generations have. We look forward to showcasing a modernized Olympic Oval to Canadian fans and the international speed skating community by welcoming ISU World Cup and World Championship events back to Calgary once the renovations are complete.”
The Olympic Oval is a symbol of athletic excellence and national pride, and investing in the revitalization will ensure this vital facility that fuels Canada’s athletic excellence, community well-being and sport innovation lives on. Speed Skating Canada looks forward to working with the Olympic Oval – as well as the federal and provincial governments – to support this renovation that will benefit our members and help us grow our sport.