October 3, 2008 (Victoria, BC) – A new, world-class sports and education centre in Victoria will help build a healthier nation and fuel Canada’s sport performance, thanks to a $24.5-million investment by the provincial government, Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Minister Murray Coell said at the facility’s official opening today.

“The Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence, (PISE), is a holistic sport and education centre,” said Coell. “The institute is the first of its kind in Canada and incorporates both the science and technology of sport, along with wellness research, at one centre.”

The provincial government contributed $24.5 million towards the $27.75-million first phase of PISE, located at Camosun College’s Interurban campus. The facility includes a hydro-regeneration centre, sport science research and innovation space, a sport medicine clinic, multi-purpose classrooms and labs, a resource centre, double gymnasium fitness and wellness facilities, student amenity spaces and a lit all-weather playing field.

“This is a national and provincial centre that will develop high-performance athletes and coaches, build a healthier nation and create role models to inspire physical literacy,” said PISE board chair Jim Reed. “Several of our finest Olympic athletes are here today, and they really are part of the inspiration for this Institute.”

The centre will train future Olympic athletes and serve the local community, as well as researching best practices in health and wellness and sport.

“With 12,000 full and part-time learners, the college had very limited sport, recreation, health and wellness facilities for staff and students,” said Camosun College president Liz Ashton. “The institute will provide a major resource for the College and serve as a centre for sport education.”

PISE will have an estimated economic impact of $24 million annually and the equivalent of over 420 full-time jobs supported through Institute spending.

Since 2001, more than $1.5 billion has gone toward 650 capital projects on campuses across the province – the largest expansion in B.C. history.