l-r Leanne Schinkel (Tourism PG), Tasha Peterson (Northern BC Tourism), Kevin Pettersen (Caledonia Nordic Ski Club) and Annie Doran (Tourism PG) Photos 250News

Prince George, B.C. – Should be no problem warming up following a ski through the Otway Nordic Ski Centre trails this winter.

The centre is the recipient of a propane-powered, custom-fabricated warming station courtesy of Tourism Prince George in partnership with Northern BC Tourism.  Annie Doran, Marketing and Communications Manager with Tourism Prince George, says “we thought that the cauldron is a great outdoor piece and it would be great to showcase it at Otway because this is a good winter facility and it would be a better fit to have it out here where everybody can enjoy it.”

Doran says “it was made by Pioneer Log Homes for the Activation Site during the Canada Winter Games and people roasted marshmallows and really enjoyed it, so I think this is a really good legacy to leave it with Otway.”

Caledonia Nordic Ski Club President Kevin Pettersen says the warming station will be a welcome addition for Ski Fest and for Jackrabbit nights and days involving kids.  “It’ll be a great opportunity for them to not only see this wonderful piece of artwork but also to warm their hands on those cold days.”

He says it will also come in handy for major events.  “We’re hosting the Western Canadian Cross-Country Championships this winter (Feb 19^th-21^st).  And the other great piece of news is we’re hosting the biathlon national championships next year, which also include the North American championships.  So for these events it will be a really nice showpiece to have as a legacy piece from the games, and it highlights a great piece of art from our community.”

Pettersen says the warming station, which weighs about a thousand pounds, will be located at the corner of the technical building in the main stadium area at Otway.  “For the events, for volunteers and the athletes to keep warm it will be a great place to congregate.”

He thinks the propane-powered unit will throw off plenty of heat.  “I can remember it from the plaza at the Games and it’s a pretty good heat source.  And it’s high enough that the small children won’t risk getting burned.  I think it’s really well-designed and a showpiece.”