WinSport launches for winter but upgraded day lodge opening delayed

Lifts for snowboarders and skiers are now running at WinSport but snow enthusiasts will have to wait a bit longer for the full re-opening of the renovated day lodge.

The winter sport mecca on the city’s western edge officially opened for the winter season Friday after favourable snow-making conditions and generous natural snowfall created a solid base.

But full use of the Frank King Day Lodge, which has been undergoing a $43-million facelift, was tentatively set to open by the end of 2025 won’t be ready for use, said WinSport.

Facility operators said they want to ensure the job is completed to the highest possible standards on the building that opened nearly four decades ago for the 1988 Winter Olympics.

“After careful collaboration with construction partners, WinSport has confirmed the full building will not reopen this season — prioritizing quality and long-term impact over speed,” stated a WinSport press release.

That delay comes as no surprise, said WinSport spokesman Dale Oviatt, adding the first floor of the modernized day lodge is expected to open next summer.

“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,” he said in an email.

“The construction team worked hard to get us and guests access to the second floor in time for opening day.”

The logistics of moving operations onto the first floor in the middle of winter season, even if that was possible, was deemed too difficult, said Oviatt.

But it’s hoped the food court and EIGHTYEIGHT Bar & Grill will be open in time for the holiday season.

For now, rentals will operate at the northwest corner of the parking lot.

The modernization project that began last year is adding about 22,000 square feet to the facility at Canada Olympic Park while renovating another 58,000 square feet.

That’s expected to broaden its use and inclusivity at a time WinSport is seeking to attract a wider clientele.

The renovations will include retrofitting its systems to make it a net-zero facility, expanding and optimizing guest space inside the day lodge and building barrier-free access between the parking lot, day lodge and recreation facilities.

It’s the most significant physical project at COP since the opening of the Markin MacPhail Centre in 2010, a sport complex that has expanded its use beyond a hockey rink to host events such as concerts.

In the meantime, work continues on expanding the park’s terrain while preparing to open the Advanced Terrain Park in time for the holidays.

BKaufmann@postmedia.com

X: @BillKaufmannjrn