WorldSkills Calgary 2009 | Accommodations

Competitors' Village

WorldSkills Calgary 2009 will feature a Competitors' Village to house all international competitors. The Competitors' Village will be located at the SAIT Polytechnic, just a 15-minute, LRT train ride from the competition venue at Calgary Stampede Park.

The Competitors' Village will not only eliminate proximity/transportation issues, but also create a great opportunity for competitors to spend more time together enhancing their international experience.

The Village will accommodate up to 1,200 WorldSkills competitors. Village facilities and amenities will include hotel or apartment-like accommodations, on-site medical service, high-speed Internet, a pool, gymnasium and other recreational facilities and voice-over IP telephones.

The Competitors' Village will simultaneously provide sanctuary and excitement, camaraderie and privacy. Throughout the Competition, the Competitors' Village will be a true global village, reflecting and respecting cultures from around the world. SAIT's distinguished culinary school serves up an international menu of gourmet cuisine. Diverse dietary requirements and cultural preferences will be easily accommodated.

During WorldSkills 2009, competitors and other participants will have access to on-site medical services at SAIT's Health, Safety and Wellness Centre. At the International Students' Centre, counselors can assist guests in many languages.

SAIT has generously agreed to adjust the start of its 2009-2010 academic year to enable WorldSkills competitors to enjoy all that its campus has to offer.

Competitors' Village (SAIT) recreational facilities include:

Full fitness room with weight machines and cardio equipment
Double-size gymnasium
Full-size soccer/multi-purpose field
Aquatic Centre (with 35-metre salt-water pool)
12-person hot tub
4 squash courts

4 racquetball courts
4 wallyball courts
Aerobic/dance/martial arts studio
Shower facilities with lockers and steam room
Pro shop
Fitness and leisure programs/courses
SAIT arena (NHL-size ice surface, jogging track, seating for 1,200)

Hotel Accommodation

All other participants will stay in Calgary's downtown core, in some of the city's best hotels. Hundreds of hotel rooms have already been reserved for WorldSkills participants. Guest services at the hotels include voice-mail, audio-visual services, computer equipment, airport limousine services and meeting facilities in very spacious hotel rooms.

Calgary is known for the warmth of its hospitality, the quality of its accommodation and its award-winning cuisine. The core of the city offers great shopping, multicultural dining opportunities and an authentic western atmosphere, as well as being a short walk or a short Light Rapid Transit (LRT) ride from the competition site.

All accommodations have been inspected by the Alberta Hotel Association and meet its standards for certification.

Hotels have been block booked for the WorldSkills Calgary 2009 competition. The packages will be available for on line booking and member countries will be notified when this is available. Bookings made outside this process are not acceptable to WorldSkills Calgary 2009 and will not receive accreditation or access to the competition or events. Also, transportation will only be accommodated and included in the packages between the airport, hotels included in the packages, excursions, and the events as in the package.

Sample of the hotels which are block booked for our competition are as follows:

Calgary Westin Hotel

Sheraton Eau Claire

Delta Bow Valley

These hotels are all within LRT or walking distance to the competition site and are in the downtown. There is easy walking access to all the downtown shopping and restaurant facilities from these hotels.

We are contacting members to engage their feedback with regard to the preference in cost, facilities, and numbers in the room prior to completing our selection of hotels. Currently, WorldSkills Calgary 2009 has booked the best, at the best price, in the best location for WorldSkills members and we look forward to hosting you in Calgary in 2009.

3,000 volunteers will be recruited to assist in the Lead-Up and Launch.
150,000 student and public spectators will attend the competition.
The competitors will be housed in a Competitors´ Village, located on SAIT Campus.