Brand new pavilion opening at Victoria Park oval Saturday
Edmonton Speed Skating Association hopes its new headquarters will help trigger interest in their sport
Skaters are getting an early Christmas present on Saturday.
Victoria Park oval's new $3-million pavilion will be unveiled at 1 p.m.
A hub for winter enthusiasts and speed skaters, the new 3,000-square-foot facility will give skaters a place to warm up, take a break and use indoor amenities, including public washrooms, change rooms and a service area. It will be open year-round.
As a central gathering place for winter activities, it will provide public space for City of Edmonton educational programs as well.
For Jules Chabot, president of the Edmonton Speed Skating Association, it's a huge relief, as it will also be the new headquarters for his association. Administration of the ESSA had been done in a member's basement for the last decade.
The former facility at the oval was a little ATCO trailer, some cold benches and no washrooms.
Chabot said having a professionally administered office right in the heart of speeding skating activities will promote the sport, and hopefully spur interest among youth.
For now, he's just admiring the new pavilion.
"It's beautiful," Chabot said. "When you get a glare on the ice and at night, and those lights shining on it, it does look spectacular."
Saturday's celebration includes speed skating and sleigh rides.