The Government of Canada is Building Canada Strong through sport. From playground to podium, we are investing in communities, supporting athletes and uniting Canadians, because sport is the ultimate nation builder.
Today, through the Build Communities Strong Fund, the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), and the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Guildwood-Rouge Park, announced a federal investment of more than $830,000 to upgrade the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario's (CSIO)'s training facilities at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (TPASC).
Canada's top athletes are a source of pride for our entire country and are our greatest ambassadors. Through the replacement and upgrading of key specialized equipment, this project will see Canadian athletes better supported throughout their training and in their pursuit of excellence.
These upgrades will support the needs of athletes with disabilities. Improvements to the flooring in the indoor running track and weightlifting areas will help ensure full accessibility for Paralympic athletes and individuals with diverse physical abilities. The project will also include an environmental chamber, dry sauna, aquatic therapy system, modular training equipment and expanded space for essential facilities.
Every time a Paralympic or Olympic athlete competes, they wear the maple leaf on their jersey, or the Canada name on their back - they represent us all. For many Canadian athletes, access to specialized training facilities and affordability are a challenge. We want to remove barriers and make sure they have the resources they need to excel in their sport, right here at home. As part of this project, the CSIO will conduct a national feasibility study to explore affordable housing options for athletes near major training centres like the TPASC and the CSIO.
Today's announcement builds on the Government of Canada's $1 billion investment to support Canadian athletes, strengthen sport infrastructure, increase participation and ensure Canada continues to host world-class sporting events. A country that comes together through sport is a country united.
