Government of Yukon
News archives
FOR RELEASE #05-130
May 17, 2005
Partnership Ensuring Benefits For Yukon Education, Progress On Athletes' Village
WHITEHORSE - The Yukon government and the 2007 Jeux du Canada Games Host Society will work in partnership to ensure athletes have a safe, comfortable place to stay during the Games while leaving a legacy facility at Yukon College to serve the citizens of the Yukon.
A news conference was held today at the future site of the village with Premier Dennis Fentie and Host Society president Piers McDonald. Community Services Minister Glenn Hart, Whitehorse Mayor Ernie Bourassa and Yukon College President Sally Webber also attended.
"The Yukon government is pleased that we are able to use this opportunity to ensure there are long-term benefits in education for Yukoners while preparing for the Games," Premier Dennis Fentie said. "We are fortunate to work in partnership with the Host Society and the City of Whitehorse and will continue to work in partnership to ensure the success of the Games."
"Yukon College is absolutely delighted that the Yukon government has chosen to invest in the development of family residences for college students,” Webber said. “This decision will have positive benefits for our community that will last for generations after the Canada Winter Games are successfully concluded."
The project will position the college for expanded education and training enrolments in the short term and for future development of new programmatic offerings, Webber added.
"We believe that this investment will have a significant future benefit for all Yukon residents as we welcome students to our campus community," she said. "In addition, we are working towards having some important educational involvement of groups such as the Yukon Innovation Cluster project."
Recognizing the existing athletes' village agreement between the City of Whitehorse and the Yukon government, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Government of Yukon and the Host Society. It defines how the government and Host Society will manage the athletes' village development project.
A steering committee has been established to oversee the project management and will report to the minister of Community Services. The committee includes Host Society general manager Chris Morrissey and Community Services Deputy Minister Marc Tremblay.
"We are committed to developing safe, comfortable accommodation for 1,800 athletes," said Games Host Society President Piers McDonald. "We are happy to be working in co-operation with the Yukon government in order to get this project completed before the Nov. 1, 2006, deadline."
Suitable land, adjacent to the Yukon College campus, has been identified and geo-technical work is now underway. A component of the project will become family residences for students in the future. A project plan has been developed and is now being reviewed by the project partners. A project manager, a designer-architect and a construction manager have been identified by the Yukon government.
The government is committed to ensuring the project optimizes opportunities for local companies, Fentie added.
-30-
Contact:
| Doug Caldwell Communications, Department of Community Services 867-667-8065 doug.caldwell@gov.yk.ca |
Peter Carr Cabinet Communications Advisor Government of Yukon867-667-8688 peter.carr@gov.yk.ca |
| Paolo Gallina Senior Manager, Marketing, Sponsorship and Media Relations Whitehorse 2007 Jeux du Canada Winter Games 867-393-5520 Paolo.Gallina@2007CanadaGames.ca |
Sally Webber President, Yukon College 867-668-8704 swebber@yukoncollege.yk.ca |
Village Project Information Sheet
Preliminary Specification
Smaller Building
- Three story facility with complete lower level
- 24 suites (12 two bedroom & 12 three bedroom suites)
- 2 bedroom units are 1,100 square feet
- 3 bedroom units are 1,380 square feet
- Located adjacent to existing College Student Residence Facilities
- Total Building Area is 51,000 square feet
- Accommodates 672 Athletes during the 2007 Canada Winter Games
Large Building
- Three story facility with complete lower level
- 48 suites (18 one bedroom & 30 two bedroom suites)
- 1 bedroom units are 830 square feet
- 2 bedroom units are 1,100 square feet
- Located Southwest of the College Campus
- Total Building Area is 78,000 square feet
- Accommodates up to 1136 Athletes during the 2007 Canada Winter Games
- Both buildings feature barrier-free access design on the ground floors.
- Elevators are centrally located with indoor stairwells at each end of the buildings.
- Central laundry facilities will be located on each floor.
Smaller Building
Large Building
