Cricket club house gives skiers a winter warm-up
River valley snow lovers will have somewhere to get out of the cold this winter after the Victoria Park cricket building was opened Sunday as a warming shelter.
The brown cabin near the golf clubhouse, located at the start of the cross-country ski trails around the course, will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends and holidays until March 15, providing bathrooms, hot chocolate, a fire and staff assistance.
“We’re a winter city,” Coun. Ben Henderson said.
“If you can make sure people can get out there and have fun … people can enjoy the city even more.”
The idea for turning the cricket facility into a ski hut came from Epcor president David Stevens, who heard from skiers as well as runners and cyclists about the need for more toilets and shelters in the area.
“People said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to have a place to warm up, spend some time and go to the bathroom?’” he said.
“For me, it’s just access to the river valley. We live in a northern climate. You want to find ways to continue to (use the outdoors).”
Epcor is helping cover the approximately $20,000 cost for power, heat and employees to run programming.
Jeff Bertram drove in from St. Albert to use the trails with his daughter Nicole. He’s happy the popular cross-country site will now offer somewhere to go inside.
“It’s always nice to have a bit of a rest and something to drink and warm up. … It will get more people out to take part in the sport.”
The city has put up a $3-million pavilion that will be accessible all year east of the golf course beside the Victoria skating oval. It’s designed to house the Edmonton Speed Skating Association, change rooms and public washrooms.
Henderson thinks this might fill in for the cricket club shelter next year, but said there are lots of other Edmonton parks that could use such a facility.
“There are little buildings around the city that are winterized,” he said. “You wouldn’t think of not providing this (amenity) in summer. … We should do this so people can enjoy parks in the winter.” gkent@edmontonjournal.com