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Home > ABOUT US > Archive News and Events > Pacific Sport Institute receives $18.5 million investment from Province (',April 5, 2005)
Pacific Sport Institute receives $18.5 million investment from Province (',April 5, 2005)
Thursday, 15 March 2007 16:45
April 5, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Liz Ashton                Roger Skillings
President, Camosun College        President & CEO, PacificSport Victoria
        Tel:  (',250) 370-3409            Tel:  (',250) 744-3583

Pacific Sport Institute receives $18.5 million investment from Province

Victoria   The Pacific Sport Institute at Camosun College is one step closer to reality today with Advanced Education Minister Ida Chong’s announcement of an $18.5 million investment from the Province.  The Institute, a partnership initiative of Camosun College and PacificSport Victoria, will be the first of its kind in Canada and unique in the world.

The Institute will bring together sport technology, research and innovation, unique educational programming in sport leadership and coaching science, sport medicine expertise and sport facilities into a single centre that will enable Canada to take its rightful place in sport.  It will build on Camosun College and PacificSport’s already strong reputation and expertise in the areas of sport and health and wellness and will serve Camosun College students and staff, PacificSport performance athletes and coaches and also the wider community.

Camosun President Liz Ashton says she couldn’t be happier to learn of the Province’s support.  “The Pacific Sport Institute will be the cornerstone for a completely new and much needed sport development model that is community-based and education-centred,” she said.  “The Institute has the potential to make Victoria the Sports Centre of Canada.  Today’s announcement demonstrates the vision and leadership of the BC Government with respect to fitness and sport.”

The President and CEO of PacificSport Victoria, Roger Skillings, commended the provincial government for its investment in an initiative that connects legacies from the past and future.  “PacificSport evolved from a legacy of the Victoria 1994 Commonwealth Games into Canada’s leading sport centre network, thanks in part to the provincial government’s support. This centre for excellence is a legacy for the future as we continue to power sport performance and put more Canadian athletes on the podium at Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012.  The Institute will stand as a significant legacy by providing athletes and coaches the type of leading edge training and technological innovations that are so necessary to excel on the world stage in the run up to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.”

The Pacific Sport Institute will also play a key role in combating a key Canadian health issue – rising physical inactivity and childhood obesity levels - by researching to better understand links between health and sport and promoting how sport development programs, sport participation and physical activity can be encouraged and sustained across the lifespan.

“Our planning is now well underway to position this province as a leader in the area of sport development and wellness.  It’s thrilling to be moving forward on this unique, exciting and important vision,” said Ashton.

The project’s first phase, which includes a multi-court gymnasium, sport science and sport medicine facilities, fitness and strength training areas, classrooms and ancillary space and a lit, all-weather playing field will cost $36 million.  The facilities will be located at the south end of the Interurban campus of the College abutting Saanich’s Layritz Park.  A second phase includes a residence to be located at the north end of the College’s Interurban campus, additional playing fields and a stadium, although that will likely be located off campus elsewhere in the region.

An analysis to determine the economic impact of the new facility was recently completed by the College’s Educational Research and Development team.  The study results show the Institute will provide a $49.3 million economic benefit to the Victoria region during the construction phase and close to $23 million a year once the facilities are operational.

Additional funding beyond the Provincial support announced today is being sought from the federal government and through corporate and philanthropic support.  The intent is to have the Institute operational by the Spring of 2008.  The Institute will not require ongoing operating support once it opens its doors – it will be financially self-sustaining.

Camosun College and PacificSport Victoria first unveiled their planning for the Pacific Sport Institute with a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2003.  With funding support from Western Economic Diversification Canada (',WD), a feasibility study was completed that affirmed the need for such a facility.  WD has continued to support the planning and development stages of this project.

"The Pacific Sport Institute will enhance education on human health and performance, which is vital to all Canadian athletes and those preparing for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," said the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (',Sport).  "The Government of Canada is committed to supporting a vibrant and active society that embraces sport participation and excellence at all levels."

PacificSport Victoria consists of six national training centres (',athletics, cycling, rowing, rugby, swimming, triathlon), and ten regional training centres (',badminton, curling, cycling, diving, field hockey, lacrosse, rugby, swimming, synchronized swimming, and  wheelchair athletics).  It is one of two Canadian Sport Centres (',Victoria and Vancouver) and eight regional sport centres (',Fraser Valley, Interior, Okanagan, Northern BC, Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Victoria and Whistler) that make up the network of PacificSport centres.  Its aim is to continue to develop a provincial environment for sport performance at all levels through strategic investment in identified sports, world class training opportunities and quality athlete and coach services in collaboration with regional, provincial and national sport organizations.  The Vancouver and Victoria centres are two of eight Canadian Sport Centres, including Calgary, Atlantic, Montréal, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Manitoba.

Camosun College is one of the largest comprehensive educational institutions on Vancouver Island, serving more than 19,000 full and part-time learners from its two campuses.  Its over 80 different program offerings lead to associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and trades certification in fields such as business, health and human services, arts and sciences, computer and engineering technologies and apprenticeship and entry level trades training.  The College offers over 300 university transfer courses in the arts and sciences and is now offering its first applied degree program in Business Administration - Accounting.  In addition, Camosun offers a wide range of adult upgrading and college preparatory programming and hundreds of continuing education courses each year.

For more information on the Provincial investment, visit http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/nrm_news_releases/2005SBED0031-000428.htm


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Public Contacts:
Paul McGeachie, Chair of the Working Committee, (',250) 370-4540
Roger Skillings, President & CEO, PacificSport Victoria, (',250) 744-3583.

Media Contacts:
PacificSport
Joanna Fox, Manager of Communications, (',250) 595-1955, cell 882-5426, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Camosun College
Susan Haddon, Director, College & Community Relations (',250) 370-4231, cell (',250) 888-9298, email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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The Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence is a unique and holistic sport development model that will fuel Canada’s sport performance, build a healthier nation and develop role models to inspire physical literacy. An international forerunner bringing sport education and athlete development under one ‘roof’, it will incorporate sport science, sport technology and innovation, and sport and wellness research. Read more

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