Black Jack's new day lodge, in time for the BC Winter Games
By Contributor
By: BC Winter Games
Black Jack Ski Club has begun construction on a new, fully accessible 2,750-square-foot day lodge—an important legacy project for the region and a transformative investment in the future of Nordic sport in the Kootenays. The lodge will open in advance of the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games, where Black Jack will host cross country skiing and biathlon.
The project is the culmination of several years of strategic planning, fundraising, and community effort. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Jack Board of Directors used the pause in operations to refine the club’s long-term strategic plan. A core priority quickly emerged: the need for a modern day lodge with running water, indoor washrooms, proper storage, and adequate heated space to support both daily operations and major events.
“We knew we were missing critical infrastructure,” says Black Jack Board Member Adele Pratt. “We had outhouses, no running water, and no warm indoor space for athletes during large events. We were losing opportunities simply because we didn’t have the facilities.”
When the BC Games Society announced that Trail and Rossland would host the 2026 BC Winter Games, Black Jack was ready. A shovel-ready concept—developed by the club’s Infrastructure Subcommittee—allowed the club to launch major fundraising efforts for the new lodge. Over the past three years, the team refined conceptual designs, completed architectural drawings, and built the funding model necessary to bring the project to life.
Thanks to strong community support and competitive grant applications, Black Jack secured funding from multiple partners, including Columbia Basin Trust, RDKB Areas A and B, the Tourism Growth Program, the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP), Teck Trail Operations, and the BC Games Society’s Powering Potential Fund. Annual support through the Nordic Canada Club Fundraiser further bolstered project financing. Securing the REDIP provincial grant—$900,000 awarded in March 2025—was a pivotal milestone that allowed the project to move to tender.
Local construction company DJM was selected for the build. “DJM stepped up immediately,” says Pratt. “Once they commit, they are 100% in. Their support made it possible to stay on schedule for the BC Winter Games.”
A New Four-Season Hub for Sport, Community, and Tourism
The new day lodge is designed as a multi-purpose space with panoramic views of the Black Jack stadium and Red Mountain.
“This building will completely transform first impressions of Black Jack,” Pratt says. “Visitors will no longer need to gear up outside or use portable facilities. It raises the bar for our club in every way.”
The lodge is also designed as a year-round community asset. In the off-season, it will support events at the Thin Air Disc Golf course, host training camps, and provide a venue for weddings and conferences.
“We’re incredibly proud to be part of the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games,” says Pratt. “This lodge represents years of work by our volunteers, members, funders, and the entire community. It’s a legacy we can all celebrate.”
