Mt. Mac Recreation Centre Renovations

Starting in late April 2025, the Mt. Mac Recreation Centre will undergo renovations to make the facility more accessible, functional, and ensure it can continue to support recreational activities in Whitehorse.

Timeline

The renovations will happen in two phases in order to minimize the impacts for those who use the facility in the winter.

• Phase 1: April 2025 - September 2025
• Pause for winter sports season: September 2025 – April 2026
• 2026 Whitehorse Arctic Winter Games: March 8-15, 2026
• Phase 2: April 2026 - September 2026

Renovations

The project involves a variety of renovations, including:

• Additional washrooms and new accessible washrooms
• New doors that are safe and accessible
• Upgrades to the Grey Mountain Room to improve functionality
• Improving the air quality system in the curling rink and ski wax room
• Upgrades to the kitchen
• Interior upgrades (e.g., new lighting, paint and finishing)
• Exterior and envelope upgrades (e.g., new siding)

These renovations will improve health and safety, increase accessibility and improve functionality for users of the facility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can we still use the Mt. Mac Recreation Centre while renovations are underway?

• Access to the building will be limited during the renovations. The Grey Mountain Room will be unavailable. The City has other facilities available for events. If you are planning an event, please contact recbookings@whitehorse.ca or call 867-633-8518 for information about available options.
• The renovations will happen in two phases in order to minimize the impacts for those who use the facility in the winter. There will be a break between Phase 1 and Phase 2 to allow for use of the facility during the 2025-26 winter season (September 2025 - Aril 2026), including the 2026 Arctic Winter Games, which are taking place March 8-15, 2026 in Whitehorse.
• There may be reduced parking availability during the renovations.
• The tennis courts will not be affected by the renovations.
• Trails around the Mt. Mac Recreation Centre will still be available for use by residents.

How will cross country skiers be affected by these renovations?

• The renovations will happen in two phases in order to minimize the impacts for those who use the facility in the winter. There will be a break between Phase 1 and Phase 2 to allow for use of the facility during the 2025-26 winter season (September 2025 - Aril 2026), including the 2026 Arctic Winter Games, which are taking place March 8-15, 2026 in Whitehorse.
• The renovations will add washrooms, including new accessible washrooms, and improve the functionality of the ski chalet area of the building. It will also improve the air quality system in the ski wax room.
• The City is working closely with the Whitehorse Nordic Society and Cross Country Yukon to keep them informed about the renovations and share information about the project to keep their members informed.

How will curlers be affected by these renovations?

• The renovations will happen in two phases in order to minimize the impacts for those who use the facility in the winter. There will be a break between Phase 1 and Phase 2 to allow for use of the facility during the 2025-26 winter season (September 2025 - Aril 2026), including the 2026 Arctic Winter Games, which are taking place March 8-15, 2026 in Whitehorse.
• Phase 1 renovations will ensure the curling rink is ready for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games, which are taking place March 8-15, 2026, in Whitehorse.
• The renovations will improve the air quality system in the curling rink.
• The City is working closely with the Whitehorse Curling Club to keep them informed about the renovations and share information about the project to keep their members informed.

How will tennis players be affected by these renovations?

• The tennis courts at Mt. Mac will not be affected by these renovations.
• Access to the building will be limited during the renovations.
• There may be reduced parking availability during the renovations.

I want to rent the Grey Mountain Room for an event. Is it still available?

• The Grey Mountain Room will be unavailable during renovations. The City has other facilities available for events. If you are planning an event, please contact recbookings@whitehorse.ca or call 867-633-8518 for information about available options.

Why is the City renovating the Mt. Mac Recreation Centre?

• The Mt. Mac Recreation Centre is an aging facility that is in need of upgrades to bring it up to code requirements (e.g., fire, electrical, accessibility, etc.).
• These renovations will promote health, safety, accessibility and functionality for users of the Mt. Mac Recreation Centre. They will also ensure the City can maintain existing service levels and that the facility can continue to provide high-quality recreational opportunities for residents and user groups.
• The City's 2018 Parks and Recreation Master Plan includes four Key Strategic Directions to achieve the vision of providing accessible and quality year-round active living opportunities that foster wellness, inclusiveness, and sustainability. Key Strategic Direction #2 is to maintain existing service levels by reinvesting in existing facilities and innovating to meet demand.

Why are these renovations happening now?

• The City's 2025-2028 Capital Budget includes funding for upgrades of the Mt. Mac Recreation Centre. The Capital Budget was approved by Whitehorse City Council on January 27, 2025.
• The renovations will happen in two phases in order to minimize the impacts for those who use the facility in the winter.
• Phase 1 renovations will ensure the curling rink is ready for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games, which are taking place March 8-15, 2026, in Whitehorse.

How much will these renovations cost?

• The City's 2025-2028 Capital Budget includes $7.1 million in funding for upgrades of the Mt. Mac Recreation Centre in 2025-2026.
• The Capital Budget was approved by Whitehorse City Council on January 27, 2025. You can find details about the Capital Budget at whitehorse.ca/budget.

Why doesn't the City build a new facility to replace the Mt. Mac Recreation Centre rather than spending money on bringing such an old building up to code?

• The Mt. Mac Recreation Centre is a fixture of the recreational community, providing high-quality recreational experiences for a variety of community groups. Mt. Mac is the home of curling and cross country skiing in Whitehorse. Both sports have large and active athlete groups within the community, and both have dedicated groups of volunteers that host community events and competitions that draw users from across the territory and beyond. Mt. Mac is a beloved recreational facility with plenty of charm. These renovations will ensure the facility continues to meet the needs of residents in the years ahead.
• The City's 2018 Parks and Recreation Master Plan includes four Key Strategic Directions to achieve the vision of providing accessible and quality year-round active living opportunities that foster wellness, inclusiveness, and sustainability. Key Strategic Direction #2 is to maintain existing service levels by reinvesting in existing facilities and innovating to meet demand.
• These renovations will promote health, safety, accessibility and functionality for users of the Mt. Mac Recreation Centre. They will also ensure the City can maintain existing service levels and that the facility can continue to provide high-quality recreational opportunities for residents and user groups.
• Building a new facility would require significant funding from external partners. Building it on the site of the Mt. Mac Recreation Facility would take several years and would likely require demolition the current facility before construction of a new facility could begin. This would eliminate the City's curling rink and severely limit access to the cross country ski trails on Mt. Mac for a prolonged period of time. The renovations will ensure the City can maintain existing service levels and that the facility can continue to provide high-quality recreational opportunities for residents and user groups.

I have more questions about this project. Who can I contact?

• This page will be updated with additional information throughout the project. Subscribe here (link on the right side of page) to get notified when updates are available.
• For questions about recreational facilities and access to the Mt. Mac Recreational Centre, please contact recreation@whitehorse.ca.