A bid to bring Rowing CanadaB次元官网网址檚 national training centre to Greater Victoria has failed, but another part of Vancouver Island is celebrating.
Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) announced Wednesday that North Cowichan will host its future national training centre, with national team athletes training at Quamichan Lake.
Rowing Canada plans to establish a permanent national training centre in the area by October 2020.
The Greater Victoria municipality of Saanich was one of five communities that submitted formal proposals in September 2018, with a bid from the Victoria City Rowing Club (VCRC) making the shortlist.
B次元官网网址淲e are delighted to have found such a willing and supportive partner in North Cowichan,B次元官网网址� said RCA Chief Executive Officer, Terry Dillon. B次元官网网址淔rom our initial conversations, it was clear that they shared our vision for creating a home for our National Team programs. We look forward to working together in the coming months and years.B次元官网网址�
Jennifer Walinga, who chaired the selection committee, said North Cowichan was the best fit when held up against the five performance criteria identified by coaches, athletes, alumni, technical experts and other members of the rowing community: year-round training availability; course length; lake size; priority access; and water quality.
B次元官网网址淭he biggest factor that Elk/Beaver Lake could not meet was priority access,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a really busy lake,B次元官网网址� she said. In other words, Saanich could not offer the kind of access necessary to avoid competing against other users.
A technical report had raised concerns about the ecological state of Elk/Beaver Lake thanks to the frequency of blue-green algae blooms. Walinga acknowledged this report, but said its ecological state was not the decisive factor against Saanich, she said. The chosen site has similiar issues that need to be addressed, she said. Other factors worked against Saanich, she said.
North Cowichan, meanwhile, is currently investing in water quality testing at Quamichan Lake by engaging a local biologist and researchers from the BC Institute of Technology to sample water in the Lake and develop recommendations for CouncilB次元官网网址檚 consideration. The Municipality is committed to supporting the health of Quamichan Lake and the people using it.
B次元官网网址淣orth Cowichan is extremely pleased to be the new home for Rowing Canada Aviron,B次元官网网址� said Mayor, Al Siebring. B次元官网网址淲e are a region of sport, recreation, and love of the outdoors. With its focus on health, sport, and excellence, Rowing Canada is exactly the partner that we want in our community. We know it will be a significant undertaking for Rowing Canada to build a new home, and our community will be with you on that journey.B次元官网网址�
Local reactions to the announcement on the south Island expressed disappointment.
B次元官网网址淲e knew that Rowing Canada was looking for a permanent training location and of course were hoping that Elk Lake would be chosen,B次元官网网址� said Saanich Coun. Susan Brice. B次元官网网址淪aanich Council has sent a letter of support. Some of the technical requirements such as sanctioned course length were always a challenge, and it seems that the decision makers felt that they would have a better race training option at Cowichan. Hopefully there will continue to be some over-lap with in the two facilities.B次元官网网址�
The decision appears as a temporary blow to attract sports-related economic activities, but Brice does not think so.
B次元官网网址淰ictoria will continue to provide year round training opportunities for Triathlon and other similar athletic endeavours,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭ourism Victoria continues to seek out opportunities for sports related events and training.B次元官网网址�
Like us on and follow us on
