Interim funding announced for Torbay Provincial Training Centre athletes

Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced interim funding to support training initiatives for various provincial sport organizations that traditionally use the Torbay Recreation Centre as their main training venue.

The Provincial Training Centre gymnasium was closed to all user groups on April 15, 2002. The decision was reached when an inspection revealed that the condition of the gymnasium floor represented a safety hazard. Since the closure of the facility, various athletes and teams have used alternate training facilities within the St. John�s area on a cost-per-use basis. The minister has met with the various groups individually, as well as with representatives of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador, to discuss both the interim funding concerns and options for long-term solutions.

"The closing of the Torbay Recreation Centre gymnasium has caused hardship for various sport organizations that use the facility to train our top-level athletes," said Minister Bettney. "I am pleased to announce this interim funding for the athletes and teams, as some of their training schedules are actually in jeopardy due to the closure."

Several options have been presented to the minister regarding a long-term response to the closure of the facility. "The cost of $1 million to refurbish the facility is prohibitive and would not add significantly to the life of the building so this is not an option. Any long-term solution will have to be considered in the context of the 2003-04 budgetary process," said the minister. "It is necessary to intervene at this time to ensure that training activities are not interrupted."

Media contact: Melony O�Neill, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

2003 02 24                                       5:10 p.m.