Editorial: Prince George's Otway Nordic is an example of how it should be done

Almost, but not quite.

One of the more charming things about Prince George is the city’s ability to plan, build, launch and enjoy impressive new recreational infrastructure that, usually, comes up just a bit short.

Like Masich Place Stadium. It’s a beautiful multi-use field with fan-friendly stands, located in a convenient mid-city location. It’s used for football, soccer, track and field and more. The problem? Its lack of parking and accessibility. Almost, but not quite.

How about the Civic Centre? Planned and built for competition basketball, it was never used for that purpose. Although the court is regulation size, there is not enough run-off space for player safety. Almost, but not quite.

The original Four Seasons Pool was built 15 centimetres too short for the requirement to be a competitive venue. Almost, but not quite. 

For the new Aquatic Centre, the city did get the measurements correct for competition length lanes and diving facilities. The problem? There was no space provided for the spectators to watch those competition events. Almost, but not quite.

The Citizen Baseball Field in Carrie Jane Gray Park? Built with centre field being eight metres too short to meet international competition standards. Almost, but not quite.

There is one significant exception to our history of “almost, but not quite.” The Otway Nordic Centre is a model of how recreational infrastructure can succeed when city council, city staff and user groups work together. Once a very basic backwoods training ground for biathlon enthusiasts, the awarding of the 2015 Canada Winter Games created an opportunity. Ahead of the Winter Games, the user groups at Otway put a plan forward that they said would have a lasting legacy for our community. Early comments by members of council and city staff were that their proposal represented too much of the total budget for all of the capital projects for the Winter Games.

The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club, led by Kevin Pettersen, was adamant that the project be completed as the user group proposed or there would be no legacy for our city.

Today, the Otway facility stands as one of Canada’s three premier biathlon venues, attracting national and international athletes, hosting major events and contributing to the city’s economic and cultural vitality.

Last week, 100 athletes from across the country gathered at Otway for the 2025 Biathlon Canada Junior/Youth World Championship trials. It is a moment that underscores just how far the facility has come since its early days when setup and takedown were manual, arduous tasks involving snowmobiles and makeshift equipment.

The facility’s journey from a rudimentary site to a world-class venue started with the 2015 Canada Winter Games. Followed by continuous improvements, it continues to create a legacy of excellence in biathlon and cross-country skiing.

As Paul Collard, former president of Biathlon Canada, told The Citizen during the event, the Otway facility’s impressive infrastructure — including a 30-target biathlon range and superior snowmaking capabilities — offers distinct advantages over other major venues in Canada. These features, combined with the venue’s proximity to the city’s airport and affordable accommodations, position Prince George as a top destination for biathlon events. In fact, Otway is already on the radar for international competitions, with Collard noting that there is no reason why Prince George could not host a World Cup or IBU Cup race.

Behind the success of Otway is the vision and leadership of the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club, which has cultivated one of the largest and most successful volunteer-driven organizations in Canada. The club’s foresight in developing infrastructure, from its state-of-the-art shooting range to its year-round training facilities, has enabled it to host high-calibre events, such as the World Para Biathlon Championships and Para Nordic World Cup Finals.

The club’s consistent investment in long-term development has paid off and will continue to benefit the community for generations.

The Otway facility also highlights the broader value of well-planned infrastructure. A rich variety of winter and summer opportunities provide a draw for professionals, their families, and tourists alike, enriching the community and its economy.

In fact, the region’s accessible and affordable amenities are an attractive incentive for families considering Prince George as a place to work and live.

With the Otway Nordic Centre, our elected officials and city staff listened to the user groups.

The resulting facility has been a resounding success, and the legacy will continue for decades to come. This valuable lesson should be followed once more now that city council has given the go ahead for the next stage of the Civic Core Plan.

This time it’s Mike Hawes, of the Spruce Kings, and Eli Klasner, from the Community Arts Council, advocating for their user groups. Our city will be well served listening to their experience and creating a plan that fulfills their needs. Let’s build another lasting legacy, not another “almost but not quite.”