Saanich Commonwealth Place receives $100K in funding for 2020 Olympics training

The Saanich Commonwealth Place will continue to be a premier training facility for British Columbian athletes preparing for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games with the help of a $100,000 bonus in funding from the province.

The funding will cover a two-year funding shortfall that is predicted to appear between now and the end of the 2020 Olympic Summer games in August 2020, ensuring that athletes and coaches can continue training without financial concerns.

“We’re pleased to provide provincial support to this excellent training facility that will encourage national calibre and next-generation athletes,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture in a release.

“Together with the residents of Saanich and all British Columbians, we look forward to cheering you on as you represent B.C. on the world stage.”

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The bulk of the province’s $100,000 investment will go towards the Commonwealth Pool Operating Trust Fund, which will benefit aquatics training for sports like swimming, diving, triathlon, synchronized swimming, and water polo.

The funding will also more generally support the 600+ club-based athletes who use the facility’s pools and other athletic resources.

“We’re proud of our high-performance sport facilities in Saanich and our rich history of supporting local athletes, and we understand the community benefits that also accrue in providing these resources,” said Fred Haynes, mayor of Saanich, in a release.

The Saanich Commonwealth Place was created in 1994 when Victoria hosted the Commonwealth Games when 63 countries came to compete.

The 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics will run through July 24 to Sept. 6, in Tokyo, Japan.