Castle Mountain in line for major funding if Lethbridge wins 2019 Canada Winter Games bid

Toni Lucas

Town of Pincher Creek Councillor Doug Thornton had some news to share with council during reports during their regular meeting on Monday, June 23. Thornton said he had attended a meeting of the City of Lethbridge council earlier the same day. According to Thornton, during that meeting the Lethbridge council approved a budget for the 2019 Canada Winter Games, contingent upon Lethbridge winning their bid to host. Lethbridge and Red Deer are the two contenders for the  2019 games.


"The budget itself is very interesting," said Thornton. "35 million dollars worth of capital funding. The largest piece of that is a twin arena to be developed on the grounds of Lethbridge College. One world-sized hockey arena, and one NHL-sized hockey arena."

"Some of the other major capital items: Approximately 3.2 million dollars is slated towards Castle Mountain for athletes facilities, half pipe, and snow making equipment. Approximately 1.2 million dollars for the Municipality of the Crowsnest Pass for the development of an officials cabin at the Allison Creek cross country venue and their Biathlon." Thornton said Lethbridge council "Thanked and are very pleased that the town of Pincher Creek has agreed to host the skiing athletes in our community."

"It was an exciting day. The bid committee will be coming to southern Alberta, I believe the 6th of August, which is right in the middle of Whoop Up Days."

Thornton said that Red Deer and Lethbridge (and the host satellite communities) will be on display. "That will not have a small part on their decision making of who is going to get the games. If we can be active and excited about it, I think that will go a long way toward getting it. The Games will not be back in Alberta until 2045 (after 2019)."

Councillor Lorne Jackson said that he still has a keepsake from 1975, when Pincher Creek played a part in the Canada Winter Games. He said he caught a puck that had gone over the boards during one of the preliminary games.