Vancouver Island Mountain Sport Centre Construction Update

August 13, 2010

Courtenay, BC - Construction of Vancouver Island Mountain Sport Society's multi-functional facility on Mount Washington has started! 

The facility will serve emerging mountain sport athletes, Vancouver Island schools, outdoor clubs and the general recreation community. It is located adjacent to the Strathcona Park Visitor Centre and the Mount Washington Raven Lodge, with direct road access, bus service and onsite parking.

Designed by CEI and Associates, the facility will be approximately 8,000 square feet, developed over two floors, with meeting and video rooms, training facilities with fitness equipment, sport science lab space, equipment storage, maintenance rooms and dorm-style accommodations with cooking facilities designed to meet the needs of a variety of groups. The Centre will be owned and operated by VIMSS.

"This facility is a legacy of the Vancouver 2010 Games and we hope to keep the excitement and energy of the Games going by helping athletes train in mountain sports and introducing a variety fo sports and activities to those who love the outdoors," said Rick Morson, Chair, VIMSS.

Renowned Olympic skier, Allison Forsyth, a VIMSS board member, who started her ski career at Mount Washington, feels that the facility "will truly change the training and competition environment at Mt. Washington "I would have loved to have had an opportunity to train and stay at a facility like this as a youth growing up on the mountain. Facilities like this will make all the difference to young athletes and will further help support the emergence of more events and sports to the Mt. Washington area. To be able to provide affordable accommodation and coaching to young athletes is key to their success - this facility will offer both," she said.

In 2005, VIMSS secured funding to upgrade Mt. Washington's nordic trail network and biathlon range in addition to a wheelchair accessible boardwalk in Strathcona Provincial Park. In 2007 and 2009 VIMSS and Mt. Washington hosted International Paralympic Committee World Cup events as well as national championships and BC Cup events for a variety of sports.

For more information on the project or for sponsorship questions, contact: Rick Morson, Chair, VIMSS , rmorson@vimss.com, C 250.702.3318