Whistler Secondary School (WSS) is moving ahead with plans to build its first-ever fitness and training centre, thanks to a $250,000 capital campaign launched March 31 by the school’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC).
Slated for completion in time for the 2025-26 school year, the new facility will convert an underused classroom into a modern wellness space focused on cardio, strength, stretching, boxing, training programs and a climbing wall.
“Unlike other schools in our district, Whistler Secondary School is missing a dedicated fitness and training space for students,” said Sarah McCullough, chair of the WSS Parent Advisory Council, in a press release. “With the support of School District 48, and our amazing administrative team at WSS, we want to boost student health and wellness now and into the future.”
The project aims to serve not only students but the wider community. During school hours, the centre will support WSS physical education programming, with potential for certified training like Youth on Weights. Outside school hours, the space could be rented by local groups through the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), helping ease weekday demand at Meadow Park Sports Centre.
“This facility is so needed by our students, and the PHE department is in full support,” a WSS PE and Academy teacher stated in the project proposal. “We would like to be a part of the collaboration process as the project gets underway.”
The PAC-led campaign has already secured 30 per cent of its target, including $50,000 from the PAC, $20,000 from the school, $5,000 from the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Community Fund, and $1,000 from the 2025 graduating class. A climbing wall, valued at $75,000, has also been donated by a WSS family and is currently in storage awaiting installation.
Construction is expected to take place in July and August 2025, with programming ready when school resumes in September. School District 48 will oversee renovations and equipment installation, and manage charitable receipts for donations.
“The goal of the new Fitness and Training Centre is equally focused on life-long learning, health and wellness—for our kids and our community,” said Shauna Hardy, capital projects committee lead, in the release. “We are grateful for the funding we’ve received to date, and we are hopeful this project will generate additional support from our community.”
This is the second major capital project led by the WSS PAC in recent years. The group raised $250,000 to build the Outdoor Multi-Purpose Room, which officially opened in 2023 as a covered space for outdoor learning.
The new gym will feature dedicated areas for cardio (with treadmills, ellipticals, bikes and rowers), weights, stretching and yoga, boxing, and sport-specific training, along with mental and physical health programming designed by the school’s PE department.
Donations to the campaign can be made online at the Sea to Sky School District’s payment portal, with charitable receipts issued by SD48.
With community support already in motion, the WSS Fitness and Training Centre is shaping up to be a legacy project that combines education, wellness, and collaboration—designed to get Whistler students moving for generations to come.
