Yukon University exit forces contingency shift for 2026 Arctic Winter Games
Published 11:00 am Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Yukon University has withdrawn from its role as a hub for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games, prompting organizers to rework major operational plans less than 40 days before athletes arrive in Whitehorse.
The university and the 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society announced the decision Feb. 2, ending agreements for food services, venue access and several Games‑time operations originally slated for the Ayamdigut campus.
The university said in a news release that it could not secure clarity around whether a potential labour disruption would allow uninterrupted access to the full campus during the Arctic Winter Games in March.
The withdrawal requires the Host Society to relocate the polyclinic, games operations centre, mission offices, transportation hub and all food services, executive director Tracey Bilsky told the News. Badminton, which needs a gym with specific ceiling height requirements, will also move off campus.
Bilsky said contingency planning had already begun before the announcement, approximately two weeks prior, but the lack of guaranteed campus access forced organizers to activate those plans. She said the society is now reviewing “all of the different venues in the city,” including schools, large indoor spaces and temporary structures such as tents, to replace the university’s facilities.
“We’ve looked at all sorts of different options. We probably will have to lean on schools a bit more than we already have. We have great relationships with them, thank goodness,” Bilsky said.
She said schools will likely play a larger role, noting the society’s existing relationships with them. However, badminton remains challenging as she said only a small number of high‑school gyms meet the sport’s technical requirements.
Food services are another hurdle which the host society is deciding whether to centralize meals or spread them across multiple locations while still meeting the requirement to seat 500 people at once.
“There are 2,000 athletes to feed, but we have to have space for at least 500 to be seated at one time,” Bilsky said.
Contingency work includes assessing the two food‑service models, which come with distinct staffing and logistical demands, and updating venue partners ahead of any formal plan.
“That comes with challenges when it comes to finding enough kitchen leads,” Bilsky said.
She described the situation as fluid, noting that plans changed even between the previous evening and the following morning. She said the society expects to confirm locations for key services within days. Despite the compressed timeline, Bilsky said two years of preparation have left the organization ahead of schedule in other areas, giving them room to adapt quickly.
Interim university president Shelagh Rowles said in the news release that the institution had hoped to welcome northern athletes and volunteers but could not risk the impact of a labour disruption on the event.
The 2026 Arctic Winter Games are scheduled from March 8 to 15, bringing thousands of athletes and participants to Whitehorse.
Contact Jake Howarth at [email protected]
Worth a look
