Bob Ellard is garnering a reputation as a big game hunter.
The former chair of the 2014 Banff/Canmore Alberta Winter Games is now at the helm of the 2017 Cross Country Ski Nationals, which will bring between 700 and 800 athletes to the community March 18-25.
After the success of last winter’s biathlon and cross-country ski world cups, he has set the bar high, stating 2017 Ski Nationals will be among the best the sport has ever seen.
“While the world cup is a different level, we will have quite a few more athletes. We are expecting roughly 800 athletes, plus their coaches, parents and friends. In terms of sheer numbers, it’s bigger than the world cup,” Ellard said.
Ski Nationals is the biggest race of the year for many teenage cross-country skiers, and can be an important stepping-stone in athlete development. National titles can help launch ski careers, while the event is more of a celebration for senior level athletes, and usually marks the end of the ski season.
This will be the 90th ski nationals in Canadian history and the fifth time Canmore has hosted the event.
Canmore last hosted Ski Nationals in 2011, which provided support for the Canmore Nordic Ski Club. This year, with a budget of $235,000, organizers are looking for more partners within the community to create a successful event. Grant funding has been lacking thus far, and Ellard said there are more opportunities for corporate sponsors.
“We’d like to think we would dial it up and have a better event than we’ve had previously, and move the bar up to host the best Ski Nationals yet,” Ellard said. “Some of our costs have gone up from 2011, but the revenue opportunities have also gone up. Our primary source of revenue is with the athletes, and their costs have gone up, but the race fees are lower compared to Ski Nationals in Whitehorse and Thunder Bay.”
The Town of Canmore recently approved $15,000 for the event, which Ellard said helps immensely. He is expecting the event to bring an economic boost to the community, as the event solidifies Canmore’s reputation as a ski destination.
“Those coming to Ski Nationals are coming from across Canada and will stay in hotels and eat in restaurants,” Ellard said.
Facility fees at the Canmore Nordic Centre have increased, but Ellard said the province has been a great partner thus far. While race trails will be closed to the public, the rest of the CNC will still be open for public during Ski Nationals, Ellard said.
The event is looking for volunteers and corporate sponsors willing to support skiing in Canada.
“This is an event that can make money, which goes back to the Canmore Nordic Ski Club,” Ellard said. “We’re looking for the business community to come on board to support this event, as we’re actively looking for sponsors.”
Similar to world cup races, Ski Nationals will try to connect with the commercial district. Medal ceremonies will take place downtown, while the Ski Nationals banquet will be held at Norquay.
“We have a number of new things planned for athletes this year. We will give them access to Elevation Place, and we’re looking to set up a screening of Banff Mountain Film Festival reels. The banquet at Norquay will tie in with some tubing – that’s something we’re looking into,” Ellard said.
Robert Hogg and Mike Norton have been tabbed as co-chiefs of competition, while about 300 volunteers will be sought for the event.
Canmore Nordic Ski Club Program Director and coach Alain Parent said he’d love to see the club win its first overall title on home soil. The club has come close in the past, and many of his athletes will target Ski Nationals as the biggest race of the year. Parent expects to have about 40 Canmore athletes racing in the event, and hopes to bring back some club alumni.
“Ski nationals are important to the community. It’s the biggest race many of these athletes will ever do,” Parent said. “It will bring more than 1,000 people to the community, and will generate a lot of excitement around the community.”
