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Black Jack Ski Club Breaks Ground on New Four-Season Day Lodge Ahead of Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games

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Rossland, B.C. — Black Jack Ski Club has begun construction on a new, fully accessible 2,750-square-foot day lodge—an important legacy project for the region and a transformative investment in the future of Nordic sport in the Kootenays. The lodge will open in advance of the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games, where Black Jack will host cross country skiing and biathlon.

The project is the culmination of several years of strategic planning, fundraising, and community effort. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Jack Board of Directors used the pause in operations to refine the club’s long-term strategic plan. A core priority quickly emerged: the need for a modern day lodge with running water, indoor washrooms, proper storage, and adequate heated space to support both daily operations and major events.

“We knew we were missing critical infrastructure,” says Black Jack Board Member Adele Pratt. “We had outhouses, no running water, and no warm indoor space for athletes during large events. We were losing opportunities simply because we didn’t have the facilities.”

When the BC Games Society announced that Trail and Rossland would host the 2026 BC Winter Games, Black Jack was ready. A shovel-ready concept—developed by the club’s Infrastructure Subcommittee—allowed the club to launch major fundraising efforts for the new lodge. Over the past three years, the team refined conceptual designs, completed architectural drawings, and built the funding model necessary to bring the project to life.

Thanks to strong community support and competitive grant applications, Black Jack secured funding from multiple partners, including Columbia Basin Trust, RDKB Areas A and B, the Tourism Growth Program, the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP), Teck Trail Operations, and the BC Games Society’s Powering Potential Fund. Annual support through the Nordic Canada Club Fundraiser further bolstered project financing. Securing the REDIP provincial grant—$900,000 awarded in March 2025—was a pivotal milestone that allowed the project to move to tender.

Local construction company DJM was selected for the build. “DJM stepped up immediately,” says Pratt. “Once they commit, they are 100% in. Their support made it possible to stay on schedule for the BC Winter Games.”

A New Four-Season Hub for Sport, Community, and Tourism

The new day lodge is designed as a multi-purpose space with panoramic views of the Black Jack stadium and Red Mountain.

“This building will completely transform first impressions of Black Jack,” Pratt says. “Visitors will no longer need to gear up outside or use portable facilities. It raises the bar for our club in every way.”

The lodge is also designed as a year-round community asset. In the off-season, it will support events at the Thin Air Disc Golf course, host training camps, and provide a venue for weddings and conferences.

“We’re incredibly proud to be part of the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games,” says Pratt. “This lodge represents years of work by our volunteers, members, funders, and the entire community. It’s a legacy we can all celebrate.”

Powering Potential Fund makes a difference in Prince George

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The Prince George 2022 BC Summer Games will benefit from a total investment of $31,500 from the BC Games Society’s Powering Potential Fund (PPF) for various sport and community projects leading up to the Games.

Started in 2017, The Powering Potential Fund (is a vehicle to strategically invest in projects that will further the development of individual athletes, teams, sport organizations and communities. The Fund is a catalyst to elevate performance, inspire leadership and propel excellence, enabling more British Columbians to realize and demonstrate their full potential through sport.

The process for choosing where funding will be invested is collaborative in each Host Society between the Sport Directorate, local sport organizations and Provincial Sport Organizations.

CANOE-KAYAK EQUIPMENT UPGRADES

Description: The scope of the identified project includes a significant investment of sport and competition equipment to be owned by PGCKC. Equipment being purchased as part of this MOU includes up to ten (10) kayaks, spray decks, paddles, helmets with face masks, and PFDs. Also included is adapted equipment consisting of two (2) paddle holders and outrigger stabilizer floats. Lastly, this investment also includes the provision of goods to construct a floating judges dock.

Funding: $22,000

CITY FIELD DUGOUT FENCING

Description: The scope of the identified project includes the construction of dugout fencing at City Field. This fencing will create a barrier that will prevent unintentional falls into the dugouts. A poured concrete pad is necessary in addition to the fencing.

Funding: $4,000

NUKKO LAKE RAMP UPGRADE

Description: The scope of the identified project includes the construction of dugout fencing at City Field. This fencing will create a barrier that will prevent unintentional falls into the dugouts. A poured concrete pad is necessary in addition to the fencing.

Funding: $5,000

Powering Potential Fund advances sport in Fort St. John

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The Powering Potential Fund (PPF) for various sports, created by the BC Games Society, is a vehicle to strategically invest in projects that will further the development of individual athletes, teams, sport organizations and communities. The Fund is a catalyst to elevate performance, inspire leadership and propel excellence, enabling more British Columbians to realize and demonstrate their full potential through sport.

The process for choosing where funding will be invested is collaborative in each Host Society between the Sport Directorate, local sport organizations and Provincial Sport Organizations.

The Fort St. John 2020 BC Winter Games will benefit from an investment of $40,000 from the PPF for various projects leading up to, during and post Games.

Projects include:

  • $15,000 to the Whiskey Jack Nordic Ski Club to purchase a ginzugroomer to create groomed skating and nordic trails. This new equipment will support the development of cross-country skiing in the region through the Whiskey Jack Nordic Ski Club.
  • $14,000 for ski racing equipment. BC Alpine is the recipient organization and will determine where the equipment will be best utilized after the Games. 
  • $6,000 for a figure skating judging system. A judging system consists of a series of tablets and laptop devices integrated to Skate Canada software for judging and displaying skating performance. This equipment will remain in the region after the Games, benefitting all clubs that wish to host competitions in the community.
  • $5,000 for replacement speed skating safety mats. The Fort St. John Elks Speed Skating Club will be the legacy recipient of this equipment grant.
  • $6,000 for a backdrop netting system for archery. 

More about Fort St. John funding:

https://bcgames.org/whiskey-jack-ski-club-grooms-preps-for-upcoming-winter-games/

Cowichan receives boost from Powering Potential Fund

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The BC Games Society is proud to announce $40,000 in funding to support important equipment investments for four summer sports.  This funding is provided through the Society’s Powering Potential Fund which is an initiative to create new opportunities to strategically invest in projects to further develop sport in BC.

With the 2018 BC Summer Games taking place in Cowichan, projects were identified that could assist with staging the BC Games competitions but also be a lasting legacy for ongoing event hosting in the area or across the province.  Four projects were chosen to support the sports of rowing, swimming, triathlon, and wrestling.

Project Descriptions:
• The temporary dock on Quamichan Lake will be permanently anchored with upgrades ensuring safety and ease of access to the lake for athletes and the public.  The dock will benefit all competitors at the BC Summer Games as well as enhance future training opportunities such as aboriginal paddling programs and rowing competitions.

• Three swimming starting blocks for the Duncan Stingrays Swim Club will complete the set of eight upgraded starting blocks for competitions held at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre.

• Portable bike racks for triathlon transition areas will be purchased and used by Triathlon BC at the BC Games and also at events throughout the province. 

• In partnership with the Cowichan Wrestling Club, a new wrestling mat will be purchased for the Games and will be used by the club and be made available for future BC Games.

The Powering Potential Fund was launched in 2017 with $50,000 in matching funding from the Province of BC.  Coast Capital Savings contributed $15,000 which is being used towards the investments in Cowichan.  Through corporate and individual donations the fund continues to grow to allow for funding opportunities through grants such as these important equipment investments.

Quotes:

Kelly Mann, President and CEO, BC Games Society
“Through the foresight of the Powering Potential Fund and community partners, we are proud to be able to proactively fund these projects.  These investments will benefit the competitions at the BC Summer Games but, more importantly are a legacy to enhance training and competitions for future athletes in Cowichan and across the province.

Allan Prazsky, Executive Director, Triathlon BC 
“Triathlon BC is thrilled to be the recipient of the transition racks. When not in use at the BC Summer Games, these portable racks will be used throughout the province in our development series events, where they will make an impact on our emerging athletes. We are grateful to the BC Games, the Powering Potential Fund, and the financial partners that made this happen.”

Nick Zuback, Head Coach, Cowichan Wrestling Club
“This funding will allow the Cowichan Valley Wrestling Club the opportunity to showcase wrestling at the 2018 BC Summer Games on a certified competition level mat. This funding has also created the opportunity for the club to grow wrestling in the Cowichan Valley by running workshops for schools, and hosting camps and higher level wrestling competitions in the future.  The Cowichan Valley Wrestling Club is very thankful for the BC Games Society and the Powering Potential Fund for granting this amazing opportunity.”

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We respectfully acknowledge the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) People, also known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, and recognize that our work in this province spans the territories of more than 200 First Nations, as well as Métis and Inuit communities.

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