CODA Builds World-Leading Training Centre
The world's most advanced year-round indoor push start training facility for Canada's Bobsleigh, Skeleton and Luge athletes will be built at Canada Olympic Park, the Calgary Olympic Development Association (CODA) announced today.The multi-million-dollar "Ice House" will give Canada's world-leading athletes the unique opportunity to hone skills 12 months a year - a major competitive advantage in Olympic Winter sports won by thousands of a second.
The $4.1 million state-of-the art push-start centre, designed for bobsledders, lugers and skeleton athletes, is the first new facility to be constructed at CODA's flagship park since the XV Olympic Winter Games.
"This spectacular training centre is another example of CODA developing winter sports excellence in Canada," says Chairman Dr. Gene Edworthy. "As Canada's largest private funder of winter sport, we are committed to giving our dedicated athletes the best tools possible to win on the world stage."
With Canada's bobsledders ranked amongst the world's best, and young athletes in other sports progressing rapidly, CODA President John Mills adds: "As CODA develops The Next Legacy, I have no doubt in what will follow is a dynasty of athletes who will dominate in Bobsleigh, Skeleton and Luge."
Slated to open for use by February 2001, "The Ice House" will be available for training in preparation for the 2001 World Championships in Skeleton, Luge and Women's Bobsleigh as well as a Men's Bobsleigh World Cup, all of which take place at COP in February. Athletes say "The Ice House" will figure prominently into their training as they prepare for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
"The push start in Bobsleigh is critical to achieving podium results," says two-man Bobsleigh gold medallist, Pierre Lueders. "In building a training centre dedicated to improving our starts, CODA is providing my team-mates and I a tremendous competitive edge to win gold for Canada."
Located on the west side of Canada Olympic Park on the site of an old outdoor push track, "The Ice House" will be 143 metres long by 21 metres wide and stand four stories high.
CODA is Canada's leader in developing winter sport excellence, from the grass roots level to the country's Olympic best. Through direct financial assistance to national sport organizations and operational support of facilities shared by the nation's top athletes and the public, CODA is Canada's largest private funder of Olympic Winter Sport.
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>http://www.coda.ab.ca/CODA/we_believe/result_3.html">Original Press Release from CODA