July 04, 2016 (Whistler, BC) – The Olympic Champions 2022 in the Nordic ski disciplines might be originating in the Sea to Sky region, as Whistler Sport Legacies is inviting young athletes to stay and train at the new “Whistler Nordic Development Centre”.

“The goal of this Centre is to strengthen the athlete pathway by supporting development opportunities for Nordic athletes from all over BC”, explains Lucinda Jagger, Vice-President, Sport, at Whistler Sport Legacies. “We are observing a young group of talented athletes coming up due to some great programming at the club level at our legacy venues, and we want to ensure these athletes continue to have opportunities to progress their career in BC. We need to enable them to train and compete regularly in a high performance environment to ensure a seamless pathway to the provincial and national ski teams, to World Cups and Olympic Games.”

To fill this gap for BC athletes who are committed to taking their performance to the next level, Whistler Sport Legacies has partnered with Biathlon BC to deliver a high performance biathlon program led by WSL’s Head Coach Etienne Letondeur. The organization’s intention is to build on this also for the other Nordic disciplines in a phased approach, while strategically deploying resources to establish the new Whistler Nordic Development Centre. A leveraged investment will ensure coaching and performance services, program administration and training venues. Base of the Centre will be Whistler Olympic Park with its Nordic facilities as well as the Whistler Athletes’ Centre for accommodation and dryland training.

While the fully operational Nordic Development Centre is expected to be in place by spring of 2017, four young athletes from the North of BC have already enrolled and started training earlier this year. Programs will be in place for full-time athletes as well as for younger athletes who are still going to school, with individualized training and competition plans, full time coaching and performance services. Also development services for coaches will be offered to increase the level of high performance coaching expertise in the region and Province.

“We are excited to see this training hub come to life. Our mission is to grow sport and our vision is to create a centre of sport excellence. This institution will put British Columbia and the Sea to Sky Corridor on the map for Nordic sports in Canada”, comments Roger Soane, President & CEO of the not-for-profit organization Whistler Sport Legacies. To establish the Nordic Development Centre, the organization is partnering with likeminded stakeholders from the high performance community such as Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, Cross-Country BC and Biathlon BC.

About Whistler Sport Legacies
Whistler Sport Legacies is a non-profit organization responsible for Whistler Olympic Park, the Whistler Sliding Centre and the Whistler Athletes’ Centre. Each facility plays a unique role to grow sport for the benefit of athletes, residents, and visitors.