Around the World & Back – How Sport WorksCross Country Ski Areas Association Annual Conference, Whistler, BCRob BernhardtApril 15, 2009

Canada’s Cross-Country Skiing Community

The Venue OCOG perspective:

Will host large percentage of Olympic and Paralympic medals

Relatively expensive to build Relatively high profile, permanent

construction Strong desire to leave a meaningful

legacy

Canada’s Cross-Country Skiing Community

The Venue Sport Perspective

Once in a lifetime opportunity!!

Must work to ensure the opportunity is not lost

Canada’s Cross-Country Skiing Community

Bid Corporation Recognized the expertise within each

sport Established sport work groups for

each sport Cross Country Canada appointed a

work group

Canada’s Cross-Country Skiing Community

Work Group Put together team having expertise

in venue requirements for: Venue location Trail design Competitions Recreational skiing Layout/design/flow Training centre Sport development Ski destination

Canada’s Cross-Country Skiing Community

Venue Vision

Most important factors:LocationLand tenureLand use

regulations & environmental approvals

Road and utilities

Canada’s Cross-Country Skiing Community

Venue Vision A sport appropriate brand 100 + km of trails Facilities for training centre Access to year round skiing Accommodation at venue Permanent wax facilities Day lodge, technical building

Canada’s Cross-Country Skiing Community

The Sports Future Role

Obligation to make venue successful Will continue to work towards sport

vision for the venue Accommodation Trail development Facility development

Support sport development and events

Canada’s Cross-Country Skiing Community

Sport System

International Federation (IF)FIS

National Sport Organization (NSO)CCC

Provincial Sport Organization (PSO)CCBC

Clubs

Canada’s Cross-Country Skiing Community

Strategy Within the Sport: Incorporate venue in strategic planning Identify potential partnerships and funding

sources Provide human resources to develop plans,

secure funding, etc. Deliver programming and events at venue Support venue as destination ski area

Canada’s Cross-Country Skiing Community

Implementation Align strategy with:

WSL visionTW mandateTBC sector initiativeObjectives of funding sources

Local clubs sufficiently developed to support goals, events and programs