The new Polarettes Gymnastics Club facility will proceed in Whistle Bend this year, Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn announced in the legislature on Thursday.

The facility, which will also incorporate a climbing gym, was part of the Liberals’ 2021 election platform.

It’s expected to cost between $19 million and $22 million. Mostyn made the announcement in a ministerial statement.

“I know that today I will hear support for this new facility coming to Whitehorse, as all parties in this assembly supported the construction of a new facility in the last election,” he said.

The club has more than 1,000 active members and a wait-list of kids.

It has outgrown its facility at Vanier Catholic Secondary School, Mostyn noted, and the new facility will allow for more participation and expanded programming.

“Yukoners are some of the most active people in the country, and rock-climbing has exploded in popularity in our territory and across Canada,” he said.

“Climbing is now an Olympic sport and a sport option in the Canada Winter Games.

“Climb Yukon Association has coached a youth climbing team in the Yukon for more than 26 years, and since 2008, they have worked as a not-for-profit and now a sport governing body promoting climbing in the Yukon.”

The association has outgrown the bouldering walls at Porter Creek Secondary School, he added.

The new facility, to be located on Goddard Way, will provide more programming and regular public access to a modern indoor climbing facility, he noted.

“The gymnastics and climbing facilities will be separate spaces within a common, energy-efficient building,” he told the house.

The government is working with the Polarettes and Climb Yukon on the design.

“The tender will open this summer, and we expect that the facility will be ready by the end of March 2024,” he advised the house.

“This facility will also strengthen our bid to host the 2027 Canada Winter Games.”

Yukon Party MLA Patti McLeod offered praise for the project.

“I think everyone understands how important recreation is in our territory — not only for adults, but especially for youth,” she said.

“We know that we need to keep our youth busy with positive influences so they don’t take a turn down the wrong road.

“For many Yukoners, whether it is sports, arts, or any other activity, something you try as a child usually carries over into your adult years,” McLeod added.

“That’s why the Polarettes Gymnastics Club is so important. It’s definitely a club that has no partisan lines, as witnessed in last year’s territorial election.

“The Polarettes are very popular in the community,” she noted.

However, she did express some concerns.

“What is the budget for the project?” she asked. “How much is the government chipping in?

“I am also wondering if the minister has taken into consideration supply chain issues and has budgeted for delays and increased costs.

“As the minister mentioned, this facility will include a climbing wall. Can he tell us how this is worked into the budget and how much he has consulted with the main user of the climbing wall, the Climb Yukon Association, on the wall’s planning?” McLeod asked.

“Finally, the minister has said that the new facility will form part of their bid for the Canada Winter Games, so can the minister assure us that it will be built to those certain specifications?”

NDP Leader Kate White also offered praise followed by questions.

“Can the minister tell us the funding arrangement between Yukon and Canada to get this facility built?

“We also are wondering about the plans about the current club facility. Will it still be available as a public space for families who currently use it for drop- in and, if not, what are the government’s plans for the existing space?”

All Yukon communities deserve this type of facililty, she added.

“We know that recreation is good for physical health and mental health, kids and adults alike. So, when will the government ensure that all Yukoners have access to year-round recreational opportunities?”

Since Mostyn has linked the facility to Whitehorse’s bid for the 2027 Canada Winter Games, she said, “can the minister tell me what the housing plan is for the 2027 Canada Winter Games?

“The housing built for the 2007 Canada Winter Games is a legacy; housing both seniors and students at Yukon University,” she said.

“So we look forward to similar legacy housing investments as part of this bid for the Canada Winter Games.”

Mostyn said many of the answers to those questions are listed in the budget.

“To the members opposite, we do have a five-year capital plan. It actually lists the climbing facility in the five-year capital plan.

“The budget for that project is $19 million to $22 million. I encourage the official Opposition to use that tool.”