The federal government will invest up to $33.6 million in upgrades to three Calgary 1988 Winter Olympic venues.

Ottawa will make the investment through the Build Communities Strong Fund to upgrade key sport infrastructure in Alberta, while also increasing annual funding for the Athlete Assistance Program by $3 million.

Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden announced the infrastructure funding for the Olympic Oval, the WinSport halfpipe and the Nakiska National Ski Cross Training Centre during a visit to Alberta. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government said the province will match Ottawa’s investment in the Olympic Oval upgrade but did not disclose ither government’s financial commitment to that project.

The federal and provincial investments in the Oval improvement ensure that the long-term operation and performance of the speedskating rink, which is known for having the fastest ice in the world.

All of the improvement projects are are intended to support athlete development, increase participation in sport and help Canada host major international competitions.

Van Koeverden also announced a $3-million annual increase to the Athlete Assistance Program, bringing its total yearly budget to $43 million to provide greater financial support for Canada’s high-performance athletes.

The enhanced funding will expand support for para athletes, athletes with children, guides for visually impaired athletes and competitors in sports newly added to the 2028 Los Angeles and 2030 French Alps Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Athlete Assistance Program provides direct financial support to high-performance athletes to help offset living, training and education costs. In 2025-26, the program distributed $40 million in monthly living and training allowances and supplemental support to nearly 1,900 athletes.

Under the enhanced program, the monthly carding allowance for senior athletes will increase 5.5% to $2,300. The government will also add 30 senior cards, primarily for athletes competing in newly added Olympic and Paralympic sports and for guides assisting visually impaired athletes. Supplemental funding for athletes with children and para athletes with high-support needs will also increase.

“We’ve been listening to Canadian athletes, and they’ve been clear,” said van Koeverden, a former Olympic sprint kayaker and gold medalist. “They need more support to compete at the highest levels and represent Canada on the world stage. In a country as great as Canada, with record-breaking athletes who proudly wear the maple leaf, we need to make sure they have more support to focus on their performance and achieve their goals. This investment will help more athletes train, compete and succeed, while strengthening our sport system for the future,” van Koeverden said.

The funding increase follows recommendations from more than 240 athletes consulted through a joint report prepared by the Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission, the Canadian Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Council and AthletesCAN.

The announcements are part of the federal government’s $1-billion investment in Canada’s sport system, which includes funding for hosting international sporting events, upgrading community sport facilities and expanding participation in sport nationwide.

Pictured: Calgary Olympic Oval

Photo: GEC