Whitehorse and Fort St. John Announce Arrangement for 2027 Canada Winter Games

The City of Whitehorse is proud to announce that an agreement has been reached between the 2027 Canada Winter Games Bid Committee and the City of Fort St. John for the use of its long track speed skating oval during the 2027 Canada Winter Games.

"The Bid Committee evaluated its options for providing a venue for long track speed skating, and determined that the best choice would be the impressive indoor facility in Fort St. John,” said Piers McDonald, Chair of the Bid Committee. “It is better for the athletes’ experience, and more reliable and cost effective than an outdoor option. We are confident the Canada Games Council will receive this option favourably."

The Bid Committee has secured this option in principle, and the Host Society will be responsible for its implementation.

“In addition to sports, the Games also help unite Canadians, build partnerships, and create lasting legacies for communities,” said Mayor Laura Cabott. “I want to thank Mayor Lori Ackerman and the City of Fort St. John for opening up their community to Whitehorse.”

Fort St. John City Council will officially vote on the proposed arrangement at its February 14th meeting.

“As winter citizens, we do winter well and so without a doubt, we are pleased to support the City of Whitehorse in their bid for the 2027 Canada Winter Games and we look forward to hosting our Country’s best Long-Track Speed Skaters at the Pomeroy Sport Centre,” stated Mayor Lori Ackerman.

“This is a very exciting opportunity to host the Long-Track Speed Skating events for the 2027 Canada Winter Games. We look forward to working with the cities of Whitehorse and Fort St. John to deliver an exceptional event for our Country’s speed skaters,” said Wim Kok, Vice President for the Fort St. John Elks Speed Skating Club.

Fort St. John’s long track speed skating oval was also used by the City of Prince George during the 2015 Canada Winter Games, and is one of four indoor Olympic-sized long track speed skating ovals in North America.

The City of Whitehorse and the Government of Yukon are working in partnership to submit a bid for the 2027 Canada Winter Games. The full bid package will be submitted in July 2022, with a decision by the Canada Games Council expected towards the end of 2022.

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Media Contacts:

City of Whitehorse Jordan Lutz A/Manager, Strategic Communications 867-689-7405

City of Fort St. John Ryan Harvey Communications Coordinator 250-794-3313