Australia to build on Sochi 2014 with investment

The investment of AUD 2.5million will go towards a new 40-bed facility at Howmans Gap Alpine Centre. 15 Sep 2014
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two Australian athletes celebrate their bronze medal

Australia's Jessica Gallagher celebrates her bronze medal at Sochi 2014

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By IPC

The investment, which will go towards funding a new 40-bed facility at Howmans Gap Alpine Centre, was announced by the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Damian Drum.

More people with an impairment can follow in the footsteps of their Paralympic winter sports heroes with an AUD 2.5million Victorian Coalition Government investment into a new accessible athlete base at Falls Creek, Victoria, Australia.

The investment, which will go towards funding a new 40-bed facility at Howmans Gap Alpine Centre, was announced by the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Damian Drum.

“For over 35 years Disabled WinterSport Australia have been at the forefront of providing people with a disability the chance to experience and develop their full potential in winter sports at Australia’s alpine regions,” said Drum.

“The new accommodation will not only open up more opportunities for people with a disability to participate in Disabled WinterSport Australia programmes but will support an important training facility to encourage athlete development.

“This fantastic new facility will incorporate universal design principles and allow guests the maximum opportunity to get the best out of their winter sport experience.

“By investing in quality and multipurpose sport and recreation projects we can encourage a new generation of Paralympic heroes to reach new heights and emulate the feats of Sochi Paralympic alpine ski stars Jess Gallagher and Toby Kane.”

Drum also thanked Disabled WinterSports Australia and project partners the YMCA for their efforts to get the project up and running.

“I encourage our all-abilities winter sports enthusiasts to take advantage of all the new accommodation and sporting options available at the new facility once it’s ready for the 2016 snow season,” Mr Drum said.

Australia won two bronze medals at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games. For more information, visit the Disabled WinterSport Australia website.