| The world's only indoor push-start facility for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton was constructed in 2001 at a cost of CDN $4.1 million and is the first facility among those at the Centre of Spot Excellence. Nine kms of steel piping cools the ice on three tracks. One track is used solely for bobsleigh and skeleton. The other two side-by-side tracks allow a continuous cycle for luge training. A state-of-the-art timing and video system provides the latest playback technology and detailed analyses of the "start" technique for coaches and athletes to review their runs within seconds of completion. The finish times for the sliding sports are measured in thousandths of seconds and races are literally won or lost at the start. This is why the Ice House is a critical component as it provides a year-round facility for athletes to practice push-starts and has had a significant impact on the competitive results for Canadian sliding athletes. The Ice House will continue to help Canadian athletes strive to make it to the top of the podium. The Ice House is included in the Olympic Odyssey Audio Tour of Canada Olympic Park. As well, visitors to the Park can experience the unique sport of luge in the Ice House during July and August - imagine laying on a sled and sliding down the track right next to an Olympian-in-training! |
