
The sport of speed skating has been increasing at an expediential rate with over 27 clubs and 1846 members in Ontario alone. The Ontario Speed Skating Association lists a 27% increase in speed skaters in Ontario in the past year. At the 2006 Torino Olympics, speed skating alone contributed to over 50% of the medals won. Unfortunately, Canada currently only has two training facilities - one located in Calgary, Alberta and the other in St. Foy, Quebec. Ontario lacks the proper facility to advance the needs of its speed skating athletes and in turn Ontario athletes are forced to train in other provinces which is a costly endeavour that results in filtering funds to living expenses rather than athlete training and advancement. ![]()
Central to the Oval’s design is the leading-edge geothermal ice creation system. The system will create a superior, cost effective ice surface, without the use of liquid ammonia or the emission of green house gases or other air pollutants. The geothermal loop has the potential to become a district energy system with the capability to reduce green house gas emissions by an estimated 11,000 tonnes annually, which is equivalent to removing 2200 vehicles off the road annually. The facility will be a “green project” using energy produced in the refrigeration process to heat the Oval complex and adjacent buildings during the winter months. This unique system design also provides the flexibility to cool these facilities in the hot summer months.