December 05, 2012 (Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges) – The Pierre-Harvey National Training Center [PHNTC] and Mont-Sainte-Anne, in partnership with the municipality of Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges and private donors of the area, are proud to announce the construction of a new multi-purpose track for cross-country skiing athletes and the general public. This investment of nearly $ 275,000 will have a direct impact on professional skiing prospect’s development, in addition to the favorable position of the PHNTC on the national scene. The infrastructure will also be open to the public for roller skiing or any other sport.

Asphalted Track Added To Mont-Sainte-Anne Xc Ski Trail Network
This multi-purpose track will be part of the cross-country ski trail network of Mont-Sainte-Anne and along the Rang St-Julien in Saint-Ferreol-les-Neiges. It will be available from May to November, which is an important period for athlete’s training. With this 4.9 km [total loop] infrastructure of varied profile, athletes will have access to high quality facilities to hone their skills and push their physical preparation.

“I am excited about this project that will ensure the future of our Training Centre, as athletes now spend more time training in roller skiing than on snow, compared to what we were doing for training 20 years ago, said Pierre Harvey, PHNTC’s founder and Olympian. In this context, it is crucial to offer a secure infrastructure, tailored to their needs.”

Daniel Rochon, general manager and vice president of Mont-Sainte-Anne, said: “The arrival of this track will be profitable for athletes of international caliber and junior prospects, but also to the general public. The partnership that gave birth to the project is a fine example that bringing together partners from diverse backgrounds to achieve a promising project for the region is possible.” In addition to the athletes from the PHNTC, the MSA Nordic Ski Club, the Rouge et Or University Ski Club and the Skibec Nordic Club will be among the privileged users of this multi-purpose track.

A Unique Partnership
The investment of nearly $ 275,000 is realized through a unique partnership between Mont-Sainte-Anne, the municipality of Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, private donors and businesses of the area. The construction of the track has already started and the multi-purpose track itself is scheduled to open in summer 2013.

About the PHNTC
The Pierre-Harvey National Training Center is one of four centers recognized by Cross-Country Canada. It brings together athletes from Quebec and eastern Canada, including several members of the World Cup: Alex Harvey [2011 World Champion team sprint], Len Valjas [three-time medalist at the World Cup in 2011/2012] and Dasha Gaïazova [Olympian in 2010]. Louis Bouchard, head coach of PHNTC, was awarded with the Excellence Award presented by Petro-Canada, offered by the Coaching Association of Canada in 2011.