Squamish could be home to an all-season development ski jump facility, which would spawn a new generation of jumpers from the West Coast. An early partnership has been struck and Brent Morrice, Ski Jumping Canada chairman is excited.
"We've had some good meetings with some influential people in Squamish and we are working with the International Ski Federation to build small jumps in that community," Morrice said.
Morrice confirmed there would be life after the 2010 Winter Games for the Callaghan Valley ski jumps but a development program is critical.
"We are going to work very hard to build those development jumps because the only way we will ever build this sport is to start grassroots," Morrice said. "If you build the jumps in Squamish, you will see a healthy jumping program grow."
The Canada Olympic Park in Calgary is the only other ski jump facility in the country and the development program of 100 jumpers has a waiting list.
"We will do our best to work with the federal and provincial governments to get some smaller jumps in Squamish. We are doing everything possible to get the maximum use out the Whistler Olympic Park like bringing world cups back every second year," Morrice said.
According to Morrice, Mayor Greg Gardner has a location in mind but it is top secret.
"We are investigating different sites and I really can't comment on specifics at this point but we would be looking at provincial crown land," Gardner said.
Morrice met Gardner last year while both officials shovelled snow off the steps on the Large Hill. With sweat pouring off his brow, Gardner was struck by the dedication of officials to a fledgling sport in Canada.
"It is an incredible gift to have this type of facility dropped in our region and one of the issues we have discussed at length is the creation of development jumps," Gardner said.
Unlike the Olympic venues, the development jumps don't require snow. All-season development jumps are made from a Teflon surface with a turf outrun and use water instead of snow.
"Squamish seems like a natural choice because we have the slopes needed to nestle the jumps up against," Gardner said. "As always we will have to take a good look at the viability and sustainability of these jumps. Before moving forward."
While the Olympic facilities require funds for operational costs, Denise Imbeau, Callaghan Valley Local Organizing Committee (CALOC) managing director, insists the development jumps are relatively cheap to keep going.
"The operational costs for development jumps are minimal because there is very little that can go wrong with them. It's more of an issue of getting the jumps in place," Imbeau said.
For the last two years, Imbeau admits that CALOC has been looking for a development facility location. At this point, the only thing needed is money.
"Kids can't start on a 90-foot jump so these development jumps are important for the success of the Whistler Olympic Park," Imbeau said. "Ski jumping is not a sport that gets the same kind of sympathy as hockey but we are confident the funding could be found."
Imbeau suggests funding could come from the District of Squamish, Tourism Squamish, The Whistler Legacies Society and Sport BC to name a few. She also said corporate sponsors are a possibility as well.
"Now it is a matter of moving everyone together. Having the world cup here helped us see the potential of ski jumping," Imbeau said.
John Heilig, Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) ski jumping and Nordic combined manager, said development ski jumps could have a recreational purpose as well.
"It's important to introduce an awful lot of people in a more recreational way. Kids love to jump and what's wrong with people jumping even if they don't have a goal of making the national team? Young people can jump and it can be a great, fun, recreational and semi-competitive activity," Heilig said.
Heilig has a lot of confidence in Squamish and insists the area could be the saviour of the sport. He said Squamish has a lot to offer from talent base to a community willing to get involved. At last year's introductory programs, Heilig said the talent base blew him away.
"I think because there's such an alpine background and the skiing skills are so well developed that taking on jumping is easy," Heilig said. "You have to start with participation before you can expect high performance."
