Construction on Burnaby's premier sports centre could be finished by the end of next year, thanks in part to a large donation from the centre foundation's chair.
The final phase of construction of the Multisport Centre of Excellence began Aug. 2, according to Loyal Makaroff, president and CEO of the project.
"It's moving along quickly, and seeing the progress every week on site is fantastic," Makaroff said in a phone interview.
Construction initially started in May 2008 but had to stop by the following fall due to funding issues.
The project was able to get underway again once funding was secured, which was partially accomplished by a $23-million donation from the Multisport Centre of Excellence Foundation's chair, Scott Couzens, according to Makaroff.
"I think it's the largest donation in sports history in Canada," he added.
Couzens is vice-president of capital finance for Annoraq Resources Corporation, as well as chair of the foundation.
The total budget for the project is estimated at $54 million. Other sources of funding included $4 million in pledges and bridge financing to complete the construction, Makaroff said.
The team behind the project has stayed the same despite initial difficulties to secure funding, he said.
Those involved include basketball player Steve Nash, who is on the athletes' board of advisors for the project.
Nash's physiotherapist Rick Celebrini is involved with the project, as well.
Other athletes on the advisory board include former Vancouver Canuck Trevor Linden, former world champion tennis player Grant Connell, Olympian Silken Laumann and Johan Olav Koss, CEO of the international children's charity Right To Play.
The foundation also has a five-member business advisory board.
"People have been with us since the beginning and they still believe in the project," Makaroff said, "and more people are joining all the time."
Construction on the project began in May 2008 but had to cease that fall because of funding issues.
The global credit crisis affected the project's financing, according to Makaroff.
"We had to revisit the financial plan we had when everything collapsed in 2008," he said in a previous interview.
The budget was also aided by a cost reduction for materials when the local market fell, he added.
Spring 2012 was the estimated completion date as of August 2010, but that date has since been changed to the end of 2012.
As for the goals of the foundation, the complex is designed to support the development of athletes at all levels, from "weekend warriors" to national teams preparing for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Summer Games.
But most of all, it will encourage and strengthen the sports community in Burnaby, according to Makaroff.
"It will bring the top sports medical practitioners to Burnaby," he said. "That's our goal.
"The market (is) Burnaby citizens," Makaroff added,
The foundation, which is a public charity, will own the land and the building, according to Makaroff, and a non-profit will be responsible for the facility's lease.
The non-profit will also own the professional practice, he added.
The purpose is to ensure that funds brought in can be used to benefit the community, Makaroff explained.
The 142,000 sq. ft. centre's design includes training and rehabilitation facilities, as well as an athlete's village with 60 rooms and sleeping space for 120 athletes.
There is also space for commercial and retail businesses, offices, storage, a gym and a cafeteria.
