Posted: June 27, 2007

Sport: Stakeholder Update - Canadian Sport Centre Ontario And The Town of Markham

Over the past 18 months, the Canadian Sport Centre Ontario has been working with the Town of Markham to establish and operate the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO), a major multi-sport training centre and competition facility, in the Town of Markham. At the Town of Markham’s Council meeting held last night, Tuesday, June 26th, Markham Council voted unanimously in favour of endorsing, in principle, the hosting of the CSIO facility in Markham. This endorsement involves a commitment of $68.5 million towards the CSIO, subject to confirmation of financial commitments from other levels of government and stakeholders. Markham’s Steering Committee, Chaired by Deputy Mayor Jim Jones, will work closely with the Canadian Sport Centre Ontario, Chaired by Doug Hamilton to provide strategic direction. Allan Seabrooke, Director of Recreation and Culture for the Town of Markham, and Debbie Low, President of the Canadian Sport Centre Ontario, will work on further developing the project by working with key stakeholders. The CSIO will be located near Highway 407 and Kennedy Road in Markham Centre, and is an ideal location to host such a facility for the Greater Toronto area. The CSIO complex is proposed to include international level training facilities and competition venues, accommodation services for athletes, office facilities for sport organizations, and will provide the highest level of expertise in coaching, sport science and sport medicine. A “culture of excellence” will be fostered through the encouragement of community grass roots sports participation; the development and training of promising local, regional, provincial, national and international athletes; and by hosting local, regional, provincial, national and international competitions in a state-of-the-art facility; essentially a “playground to podium” environment. >Proposed Facility Components International level facilities for hockey, figure skating, short-track speed skating, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, gymnastics, swimming, diving, water polo, synchronized swimming, as well as several combative sports. A centre for coaching education and home to the National Coaching Institute. An association with the major new Bill Crothers Sports High School located 500m north of the CSIO, and a link to a broader network of schools, colleges and universities to facilitate athletic education with training support, as well as a shared expertise and resources. Expert sport medicine and sports science/fitness testing services and state-of-the-art equipment. Accommodation facilities, food and beverage services and day care support. These and other similar services would be offered in conjunction with the nearby Markham YMCA. A venue for hosting community, provincial, national and international sport competitions providing a much needed competition location where amateur sport is a priority. A fully accessible facility for athletes with a disability. A home for many provincial and national sport organizations moving to a true sport environment close to the athletes and coaches they support. The CSC Ontario will provide stakeholder up-dates as the project progresses. We will also add a section on our website dedicated to the CSIO project at www.cscontario.ca. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest