The Yukon government announced on March 12 pre-conceptual plans for a new multi-facility gymnasium at the proposed site for École Whitehorse Elementary School in the McIntyre-Takhini area in Whitehorse.
The project aims to meet the territory’s growing demand for sports spaces and create opportunities for tourism and competitive events, according to the government news release.
Sport Yukon executive director Tracey Bilsky said the gym would address increasing participation in local sports. In a March 17 email to the News, she noted that Volleyball Yukon saw a 54 per cent increase in membership since last year, with youth, particularly those at the highest risk of dropping out, benefiting most from improved access to gym spaces.
The plans to relocate École Whitehorse Elementary School also include upgrading the Takhini softball fields on College Drive. These fields, which are currently sandy, will be converted to grass outfields as part of the larger development initiative. A memorandum of understanding between Softball Yukon and the Yukon government was signed in November of last year, committing to the construction of a multi-sport field on the Takhini Educational Land Reserve.
The school’s new location, close to the Canada Games Centre in Whitehorse and Yukon University, creates additional opportunities to host special events and tournaments, Bilsky said. This enhanced infrastructure would support growing sports programs and address membership caps for organizations like Yukon Pickleball, which has already reached capacity.
Sports tourism is expected to benefit significantly from the new gym. Events such as the Lights Out Invitational Basketball Tournament, which currently uses all high school gyms in Whitehorse, would gain additional space for expansion. Bilsky said the gym’s additional courts and bleacher seating would allow the tournament to host more out-of-territory teams, spectators and participants, enhancing Whitehorse’s appeal as a sporting destination.
Bilsky added that Volleyball Yukon envisions hosting a Canada Cup in Whitehorse, which could attract over 1,000 participants, including athletes, coaches and officials, resulting in an economic impact exceeding half a million dollars. She said the event requires 6–8 courts for competitive play and the new gym would help meet this need.
The facility could also host smaller sporting events, which still contribute significantly to Yukon’s sport tourism economy.
According to Bilsky, a multi-gym facility would create opportunities for major competitions in sports such as judo, badminton and pickleball. These events require multiple games to run simultaneously in one location, which the new gym could facilitate.
Bilsky also highlighted the constraints outlined in the Joint Use Agreement (JUA) between the Yukon government and the City of Whitehorse. The JUA governs bookings for indoor and outdoor school recreational facilities, including school gymnasiums. However, she noted that the Yukon University gym is not included in the agreement.
High school gyms in Whitehorse operate at a deficit of 117 hours per week, according to city data. Bilsky said this number likely under represents the issue, as many groups limit their booking requests due to the high demand for space.
Block bookings for school programs until 9 p.m. on weekdays further strain availability, she said. While these programs are a high priority, the lack of space limits the growth of community sports programs.
Bilsky explained that a gym attached to an elementary school would provide community access starting at 5 p.m., as it would not be used by high school teams for practices or games. This arrangement would help address the shortage of gym space, benefitting sports groups across the territory, including soccer, volleyball, basketball and pickleball.
The new facility, Bilsky said, would create more opportunities for community organizations and youth programs to expand, supporting a wide range of sports and activities across the Yukon.
In addition to the planned facility in Takhini, the territorial government announced plans to make use of the annex at St. Francis of Assisi Secondary in Riverdale for sporting events. The space will be renovated for varied use once the Polarettes Gymnastics Club, currently using the space, moves to its new facility in Whistle Bend according to the March 12 announcement.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com
