Federal, Alberta governments invest $52 million in Calgary Olympic Oval upgrade

SPORTS Federal, Alberta governments invest $52 million in Calgary Olympic Oval upgrade By Donna Spencer The Canadian Press Posted July 27, 2026 12:39 pm Updated July 27, 2026 10:44 pm 4 min read The provincial and federal governments have matched funding for a total $52 million investment into Calgary's Olympic Oval. The funding is expected to keep the 1988 Winter Olympic venue operating for years to come. Bella Finn reports. LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE Calgary’s Olympic Oval is getting an upgrade. The federal and provincial governments are equally splitting a $52-million contribution to the renewal of the speedskating facility built for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. “It’s a tremendously important asset to our community and our country,” Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden said Monday in Calgary. “The Calgary Olympic Oval has produced an extraordinary and probably immeasurable number of Olympic medals, but also memories, heroes and beyond that, I understand you can fit more than a dozen volleyball courts in there. A lot of kids have learned how to skate here as well,” van Koeverden added. View image in full screen It is one of the few remaining legacy projects of the 1988 Calgary Olympic Games. Now the Olympic Speedskating Oval is getting a $52 million upgrade to extend the life of what is known as “the fastest ice in the world.” Global News file photo Known as “the fastest ice in the world,” the oval, located on the University of Calgary campus, was completed in 1987 for $40 million and was the Olympic speedskating venue the following year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT It’s been a community, university and high-performance athletic facility and the home of the national speedskating team for almost four decades. The oval has served as the training site for 26 Olympic medalists who have won 40 Olympic medals, including 12 gold, for Team Canada. Canadian speedskaters who trained there include Catriona Le May Doan, Cindy Klassen, Clara Hughes, Denny Morrison, Jeremy Wotherspoon, Isabelle Weidemann and Ivanie Blondin. Almost a dozen players on Canada’s Olympic women’s hockey teams, including Hayley Wickenheiser, played club hockey at the oval. However, the oval’s ability to make ice is nearing the end of its life, however, because of brine leaks among the 400 pipe…