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.