The Pacific Institute for Sports Excellence is adding yet another national tenant, as Athletics Canada the latest to join the modern sports facility.

ItB次元官网网址檚 not just the track thatB次元官网网址檚 bringing them here, though the $1,000,000 four-lane surface is certainly a key factor, says Peter Eriksson, head coach of Athletics Canada.

B次元官网网址淧ISE is top of the line, and weB次元官网网址檙e in the planning stages to have an office there, but there is no need to centralize athletes anymore,B次元官网网址� Eriksson said.

Under the new model, PISE will be Athletic CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Western Hub, one of two high performance locations that athletes can visit. The other will be at York University, just north of Toronto.

From 1984 until two years ago, Greater Victoria was home to many of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 carded track and field athletes, who would gather here to train.

The new Athletics Canada model is a more flexible one.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an open policy,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淐arded athletes are free to train wherever they want, and make visits to the Western Hub where they can take advantage of PISEB次元官网网址檚 services. WeB次元官网网址檙e saying is hereB次元官网网址檚 the hub, itB次元官网网址檚 available to the athletes for short stays, and they can use their personal coaches wherever they live.B次元官网网址�

Athletic CanadaB次元官网网址檚 full time presence at PISE will start with just one office, as endurance coach Heather Hennigar will likely relocate there. It also hinges on the relationship with the Canadian Sport InstituteB次元官网网址檚 Pacific office, already a tenant at PISE.

Among the services at PISE are the soon-to-be-completed world standard track and of course, the buildingB次元官网网址檚 leading sports science amenities and high performance personnel.

B次元官网网址淚 see this growing over time and also see a connection with the universities. ItB次元官网网址檚 not a B次元官网网址榖uild it and they will comeB次元官网网址� thing,B次元官网网址� Eriksson said.

Athletics Canada isnB次元官网网址檛 the only group excited about the new track at PISE.

UVic Vikes track coach Brent Fougner says thereB次元官网网址檚 so many community events at UVicB次元官网网址檚 Centennial Stadium, PISE will offer an alternative option.

B次元官网网址淭here are times when weB次元官网网址檇 like to have the (Centennial) track for ourselves.B次元官网网址�

The Vikes may benefit by adding national level athletes to its roster through partnership with the Western Hub. It has three already in Rachel Francois, Thomas Riva and Tyler Smith.

B次元官网网址淚t could be a situation similar to Ryan CochraneB次元官网网址檚 when he swam for UVic. The athlete would have their long term goals looked after while getting the chance to represent the Vikes,B次元官网网址� Fougner said.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com