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Local athletes will have the chance to test out the facilities they will soon compete in during the 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s.
Friday marked the grand opening of the Fortis Canada Games Complex on Lambe’s Lane near Memorial University.
The $34-million facility is home to a 400-metre, eight-lane track, FIFA quality soccer turf and an indoor training facility for the development of amateur level sport.
Kim Keating, co-chair of the Canada Summer Games host society, said Newfoundland and Labrador is well prepared to host “the best Canada Games ever.”
“We have the largest number of athletes of any Canada Games coming,” Keating told reporters on Friday.. “I think we’re over 2,000 [athletes] for week one, and 2,000 [athletes] for week two.”
In addition to the athletes, a rough estimate of 20,000 to 25,000 people will show up for the event, said co-chair Karl Smith.
“There’s no rental cars available and no rooms available, so I guess that’s as good as it gets,” Smith said.
Fortis donated $1 million for the facility. The company’s vice-president of operations and technology Gary Smith told reporters the donation aligns with Fortis’ values.
“We’re so happy to see the athletes out there. That’s really what it’s all about, is the young people across Canada who are going to come here and show what they did,” Smith said. “They will grow into the future leaders of Canada.”
The Canada Games starts in August, and as the CBC’s Jenna Head reports, some long-anticipated facilities are starting to open their doors for the first time.
Beyond the Canada Games, Premier John Hogan said the facility will continue to be used for year-round training opportunities for provincial track and field athletes, soccer and other sports.
“My kids, my grandkids, people from all across the province will benefit from all the effort that’s gone into building this infrastructure,” Hogan said Friday.
“Not just for the two weeks of the Canada Games, but for years and decades to come.”
The Canada Summer Games start on Aug. 8 in St. John’s.
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