Troy Hudson calls it “the single most important news in recent history” at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Development Centre in Vernon.
The centre has been recognized as a national training centre by Biathlon Canada.
“Having a national training centre in the Okanagan is huge,” said Hudson, general manager at Sovereign Lake, in a social media post making the announcement. “It’s an essential space for athletes to excel and develop into national and international champions.”
Efforts began post-COVID when staff worked with the Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre board to create a space for post-secondary athletes to come and train at what Hudson calls “the best snow in Western Canada.” It was not, however, an easy sell to board with an uncertain investment in the club’s future.
Having UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College nearby created a chance to develop a training centre for youth without the coaching resources in smaller clubs across B.C. and beyond.
A competitive shooting range facility was built with an investment from an unnamed community member, and the centre has been moving forward from that day on.
Hudson said that under the leadership of Sovereign Lake Centre’s biathlon head coach Eric Schryer, and with management support, the centre has developed an inclusive, winning team of athletes from across the country.
“This program really is just getting started,” said Hudson. “There is so much opportunity.
“I am incredibly proud of what they have achieved to date and what potential there is in the future. Who knew that biathlon would become such an integral part of the club’s identity?”
Sovereign Lake recently hosted the B.C. Cup/Odlum Brown Western Series Biathlon Races between B.C. and Alberta biathlon associations Dec. 6 and 7, which drew a record 230 racers. That smashed the previous record of 177, set in 2024, also at Sovereign Lake.
A week later, the centre hosted the Canadian Olympic Cross-Country Ski Trials on short notice. The event was moved to the North Okanagan from Prince George due to a lack of snow in B.C.’s northern capital.