World Cup returns to Calgary's Olympic Oval as push continues for facility upgrades

A look at speed skating skills ahead of world cup The world's best speed skaters will be in Calgary in two weeks for the ISU World Cup. Some hit the ice a little early...

About 200 of the world's best speed skaters will again hit the ice at Calgary's Olympic Oval in two weeks.

The ISU Speed Skating World Cup will return with competitors from about 30 countries.

Many of the Canadian skaters call Calgary home for training.

"It's a a lot of fun, competing with a home crowd," said Canadian speed skater Laura Hall, who moved to train and live in Calgary about six years ago.

"It's nice being able to stay at home, cook your own food, have your own bed. Sometimes, going on the road, all those factors definitely come into play."

The World Cup runs Jan. 24-26 at the Oval.

Searching for funding

While the Oval is still able to host athletes to train and compete for now, the building is in desperate need of upgrades, say athletes and officials.

Built in 1987 for the Olympics the following year, the facility has well outlived its expected lifespan.

Oval officials are currently pushing for funding from the federal and provincial governments to keep it "The Fastest Ice in the World."

"There have been investments to keep it that way, but there's certainly some work that's needed to help maintain it as a world-class facility and one of the best places for our skaters to train so they can compete at the top level on the world stage," said Nicole Wilkinson, one of the organizers of the World Cup.

The Oval is looking for about $60 million in funding from the two levels of government in order to upgrade its ice plant, change rooms, running track and more.

"Without this facility, skating would not be where it is," said Maddison Pearman, a Canadian Olympic speed skater.

"I think we see that with the bobsled and the luge track shutting down and the ski jumping. ... People have to go outside of Alberta or even the country (to train)."