‘It doesn’t look good right now’, bobsleigh community responds to potential closure of tracks at Winsport.

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – It has seen world records, gold medals and even some ‘Cool Runnings’ but the future of a popular winter destination in Calgary is in jeopardy.

In a letter sent to its employees on Tuesday, Winsport said it will not pursue much-needed renovations to the bobsleigh, skeleton and luge tracks at Canada Olympic Park.

Winsport cited a lack of funding as the reason behind the decision, saying its $8 million short for the project despite $17 million in provincial and federal funding.

The organization also pointed to the demise of the 2026 Olympic bid, saying more funds were likely to come if it went through.

READ MORE: Calgary votes ‘no’ to the 2026 Winter Olympics

A spokesperson for Canada Sliding Sport, Chris Dornan, said those in the sled sport community are shocked by this news.

“We were under the impression that this was going through. We were promised prior to the bid, that it would have no impact on the outcome of the bid. We start to put our planning sessions in for next year already, we’re starting that right now. For sure, it comes as a shock when someone tells you that the future of your office is at risk.”

The tracks have been a staple for the winter sports community since it opened for the 1988 Winter Olympics and is need of a new refrigeration system.

READ MORE: Provincial money for Olympic bid gone

Dornan said that if the tracks close it will affect more than just the athletes.

“The high-performance gym, the medical professionals that are working with these athletes each day, the community impact of these athletes that are going to schools and corporate outings, the recreational opportunities and the hundreds and thousands of kids and tourists that are on that track each year.”

If more funding is not provided for the track repairs, it will shut down for winter use at the end of the sled sports season on March 3.

Dornan hopes to work with Winsport to potentially find a solution and avoid the closure of the tracks.

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