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

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.

The oval on the University of Calgary campus has served as a community, university and high-performance athletic facility and the home of the national speedskating team for almost four decades.

The oval’s ability to make ice is nearing the end of its life, however, because of brine leaks in aging pipe connections in its floor.

The federal government announced an additional investment of $7.67 million into ski and snowboard facilities in Quebec, Yukon, Alberta and B.C.

The feds also announced a $3-million top-up to the Athletic Assistance Program, which provides Canada’s high-performance athletes monthly cheques to help pay their bills.