As sport groups across the territory continue to report record growth in participation numbers, the Government of Yukon is enhancing community access to quality athletic spaces and addressing increasing demand for recreational and competitive programming space.
As part of the pre-design and conceptual design phases of the relocation of École Whitehorse Elementary School to the northwest corner of the Takhini Educational Land Reserve, the Government of Yukon will include the construction of a large-sized gymnasium located inside the school facility that will be accessible to sports groups outside of school hours.
Additionally, the Government of Yukon will maintain the space in Riverdale currently occupied by the Polarettes Gymnastics Club as a community sport facility once the club moves to their brand new building in Whistle Bend later this year. The Riverdale facility, which is an annex of St. Francis of Assisi Secondary School, will be renovated so that it is better equipped to host a variety of sport competitions and events.
Large-sized gymnasiums at elementary schools, with appropriate sidelines and bleacher space, are a cost-efficient way of building usable, multi-purpose community spaces. Increasing the number of large gymnasiums in Whitehorse will expand the capacity of Yukon sport organizations to increase programming and provide more opportunities to a greater number of participants.
These new spaces will also contribute to the fast-growing sport tourism industry in the Yukon, enhancing the territory's appeal as a premier destination for tournaments, championships, clinics, training and more.
The Government of Yukon has identified the northwest corner of the Takhini Educational Land Reserve for the construction of the new École Whitehorse Elementary School, reflecting the Government of Yukon's commitment to providing young learners with modern, state-of-the-art educational facilities that meet both community needs and environmental standards.
While the new school site overlaps with two existing softball fields used by Softball Yukon, the Government of Yukon and Softball Yukon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on solutions that will allow the organization to continue serving its nearly 2,000 members.
As our population continues to grow, we need to grow our sport infrastructure to match the demand. By adding space for sport and recreation, we create communities where people want to live, work and play. The upcoming relocation of École Whitehorse Elementary School presents a welcome opportunity to expand recreational spaces in Whitehorse, ensuring Yukoners have greater access to facilities that promote active and healthy lifestyles.
Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn
Sport Yukon is thankful to the Government of Yukon for working together to address the critical need to increase sport infrastructure in the territory. We are fortunate to live in such an active community and these spaces will help sport and recreation groups respond to the high demand for programming and growth in participation.
President of Sport Yukon Stacy Lewis
Quick facts
- Currently, Whitehorse has 22 gymnasiums, but only six are large enough to accommodate a full basketball court. The smaller-sized gyms are not large enough for regulation volleyball or basketball.
- Sport groups across the territory are reporting growth in numbers over the past two years.
- École Whitehorse Elementary is over 70 years old and needs to be replaced. The estimated cost to renovate the existing facility is approximately 1.4 times more than the cost to build a new school.
- As announced in January 2024, the new École Whitehorse Elementary School will be built at the northwest corner of the Takhini Educational Land Reserve.
