Federal, Yukon gov'ts give $2.9M for Biathlon Yukon facility in Whitehorse

When Whitehorse hosts the 2026 Arctic Winter Games a little over a year from now, the plan is to have a brand new, $2.9-million facility ready to go for biathletes.

The federal and territorial governments on Tuesday announced new funding to build a two-storey facility for Biathlon Yukon. It will replace a trailer and outhouse that have been used for decades at the organization's training site on Grey Mountain. 

"The kids will be able to go to the bathroom now at –20, indoors," said Bill Curtis, president of Biathlon Yukon. "So this is a huge, huge improvement."

Ottawa is chipping in just over $2.2 million for the construction and the Yukon government is providing $736,846.

"When we think of infrastructure, most people will think of roads, sewers and water lines. And these are essential," said Yukon MP Brendan Hanley, at the funding announcement.

"But recreational infrastructure is equally important. We must have the facilities to support people's ability to gather, to play, and to participate in organized sports."

The new building will have meeting rooms, washrooms, showers, a kitchenette, and a secure storage room for the rifles used by athletes. It will also have improved accessibility and better parking.  

Yukon's Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn said the new facility will help Biathlon Yukon grow as an organization and "allow more children to find joy in the sport."

"It is an unusual sport, but is a very Canadian sport. And I think it's something that you should get out and take part in, if you have a choice," Mostyn said.

The goal is to have the new building in place by March 2026, when Whitehorse next hosts the Arctic Winter Games. Curtis said it will be a "very tight timeline." 

"We'll hopefully get construction started as soon as the snow is gone," he said.

"But it'll be tight. And the building may not actually be fully completed by the time, but it'll be certainly usable by then."