Standing in bold relief against the Western sky, the ski-jumping tower at Canada Olympic Park is one of Calgary's most recognizable landmarks.

And when the snow flies, COP is THE recreational destination in town.

But some southern Albertans may not realize the good times keep rolling all year round at COP.

There's much, much more to Canada Olympic Park than winter sports. Sign your group up for volleyball, or take advantage of COP's heated, all weather tent with dance floor, permanent tables and a bar.

Sure, the ski and snowboard hill, the Olympic luge/bobsleigh/skeleton track, the Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum – not to mention scads of free parking – all combine to make COP the urban ultimate in winter fun.



But winter's gone. And to celebrate the return of short-sleeve season, park staff have cooked up a fresh attraction – the COP theme barbecue.

Already the people's choice for weddings, banquets and seminars, COP is waiting to servecorporate or club groups looking for a relaxing day, or evening, in the park.

What theme? That's your call. The choices are almost limitless.

How about a delectable medieval feast, prepared by a skilled chef and served by congenial staff?

Or a murder mystery? Consider the possibilities. Your boss could be the primary suspect and you the steely-eyed sleuth bringing the scoundrel to justice.

You may feel a casino night, a western hoedown or a picnic in the park (pony rides optional) is more your speed. Perhaps a carnival, or a good old-fashioned softball tournament.

To encourage maximum memory-making, COP will help your group stage a mini-Olympics, a trick that this major venue for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games can turn with incomparable panache.

Test your bocce, croquet or curling skills, then cap the competition by plunging down the Olympic bobsleigh track in the Road Rocket.

Whether you choose to sleuth or to sleigh, you can be sure every detail will be perfect.

And no matter which format you explore, you can rely on COP's expert catering staff to feed every happy face in sight.

Whether you decide to chow down with beef on a bun, to ply your guests with juicy steaks, prime rib or chicken breast, or to roll back the centuries with a medieval barbecue, capped by Friar Tuck's Temptation Bread Pudding, COP's certified master chefs guarantee Gold Medal service and the finest in fare.

Because the whole point of the exercise is trouble-free relaxation.

That's why COP attends to every detail. All the client has to do is pick up a phone, and make one call. COP will carry the ball from there.

"People are working so hard today. We want to make things as easy as possible for them," explained Peter Findlay, COP's food and beverage manager.

"If you call our booking co-ordinators (247-5465), we'll help you decide the format which works best for you. Then we'll invite you out for a full site tour. That usually stimulates the creative process," Findlay added with a smile.

Much of the fun will take place beneath COP's heated, all-weather festival tent, complete with dance floor, permanent tables and chairs (no folding models), bar and permanent washrooms.

Want a band or a deejay?

Done deal.

COP's festival tent isn't exactly the backpacking variety – it's a permanent structure that seats 540.

So if your COP picnic gets moistened by an unforeseen downpour – this is southern Alberta, remember – the festival tent makes a hospitable refuge, with room for all.

Here's another sweet feature. As a non-profit organization (all COP profits are redirected to amateur winter sport), the park is able to offer a no-GST deal on food and beverages, as well as competitive rates on every package.

To join the fun, ask for Susan or Nancy at 403-247-5465.

Meanwhile, details on barbecue packages and menus are easily accessible via COP's website: www.coda.ab.ca/cop

COP is easy to find. Only a 15-minute hop from downtown Calgary, the park is situated on the TransCanada Highway. Just get a bead on the ski jumping tower, and follow your nose to the barbecue.