Canada Olympic
Park (COP) (formerly known as Paskapoo Ski Hill) is located in Calgary,
Alberta, Canada. The park is operated by WinSport Canada (formerly the
Calgary Olympic Development Association (CODA)). It is currently used
both for high performance athletic training and for recreational purposes
by the general public. During the 1988 Winter Olympics, Canada Olympic
Park was the primary venue for ski jumping, bobsleigh, and luge. WinSport
Canada still maintains these facilities for training and competitive
purposes. In the winter, the park is also used for downhill skiing,
snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. In the summer, COP is used for
warm-weather sports such as mountain biking (there are 16 miles of bike
trails) and is also the site of a number of summer festivals.
The park is home to a summer challenge course and zip line. Many summer
camps are available.
Major expansions and additions are under way to maintain the park's
status as a training facility to gain back business and stature from
the Vancouver 2010 venues.
On December 15, 2010, a phase of the Athletic and Ice Complex (AIC)
opened which includes 3 ice surfaces to be used by Hockey Calgary and
other groups as well as a restaurant. In 2011 the second phase will
open which includes the 4th (Olympic size) ice surface to accommodate
3,800 fans. In 2012, the third phase will open which includes gyms,
a public fitness centre, public sport development centre and a high
intensity training centre for athletes. The AIC is located in front
and to the side of the sliding sports training centre known as the "Ice
House". The track in the Ice house can be seen from the upper floor
corridor of the arenas.
The park is located in western Calgary, south of the Trans-Canada
Highway, north of the community of Cougar Ridge and west of Bowness |
