Organizers of a community project to build a new warming hut at the Canmore Nordic Centre are looking for volunteers to push the project forward.
Warming hut steering committee member Ken Davies said the public could donate time or money to the project, which should be completed on Oct. 1.
“You can contribute your time or expertise. If you’re a carpenter or electrician and are willing to come out, that is appreciated. Most of the labour will be done on a volunteer basis and we’ll try to do it over a number of days of labour. The more people involved, the better,” Davies said.
“We’re also happy to have financial contributions and we can offer tax receipts through the Friends of Kananaskis.”
By having a community ‘barn-raising,’ Davies hopes Canmorites will feel a sense of ownership over the project – something they can be proud they built themselves. He estimates it will take about 10,000 hours of labour and $110,000 to build the 30 x 30 foot hut, and all ages and experience levels are welcome to help. Several construction companies have already donated building supplies, and the Nordic Centre has agreed to contribute to the project.
“We want to think of this project as something Canmore can build for itself,” Davies said. “The feedback so far has been nothing but positive.”
The hut will be a winter-use only facility, and money raised will also create a sustainment fund. It will contain a natural gas stove, tables, chairs and a picnic table, providing Nordic Centre skiers with an easily accessible destination on relatively flat trails from the day lodge.
“This will be a destination for skiers with a fantastic view from the meadow,” Davies said.
The plan to build a warming hut was first identified in 1988, but there was no push on the project until 2014, when the volunteer committee pushed the project ahead.
No date has been chosen yet for the summer worker bees, but those interested in helping are asked to contact Davies at [email protected] or by phone at 403-678-9418.
