Yukon University and Arctic Winter Games joint statement on food services and space use

WHITEHORSE – Yukon University and the Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society are announcing that, by mutual agreement, the University will withdraw from its role in the upcoming Arctic Winter Games. This decision includes the cancellation of the University’s food services contract, the in-kind venue and space use agreements for the polyclinic, Games Operations centre, mission offices, transportation hub, and the decision that badminton will no longer be hosted at the University.

The University has been in ongoing internal conversations in an attempt to gain some clarity and certainty that any labour disruption would allow uninterrupted Games' time access to the whole campus.

With no immediate clarity or resolution, less than 40 days to the Games, and thousands of athletes and participants preparing to come to Whitehorse, the Host Society has had to activate contingency plans to move all planned services off the University's Ayamdigut campus. These plans will be shared in the coming days.

“We were so looking forward to sharing Yukon University’s fabulous facilities with young athletes and volunteers from across the North, including potential future students. However, in recognizing the impact that a potential labour disruption may have on the success of the games should the university have remained a main hub, we had no option but to withdraw our agreement with the AWG Host Society. We value our partnership with the AWG Host Society and recognize the tremendous community effort that has gone into organizing these games and we wish everyone involved a successful 2026 Arctic Winter Games.”

– Shelagh Rowles, Interim President, Yukon University

With just over a month to go before the Games, making this decision now allows the AWG Host Society to focus on shoring up alternate plans.

“Yukon University has been a tremendous partner, and this was not an easy decision. Ultimately, it is one we believe is in the best interest of our participants and everyone working to deliver these Games. In the coming days, we will begin sharing details onour operational contingency plans. I want to sincerely thank the hundreds of volunteers and our dedicated staff team who are working through these changes with professionalism and care to ensure the Arctic Winter Games are delivered safely, effectively, and in a way that creates lasting memories and builds on our strong legacy for hosting world-class events here in the Yukon.”

– Tracey Bilsky, President - Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society