NEW KINGSTON SPORTS AND FITNESS COMPLEX UNVEILED

Even young people benefit from the new Kingston Military Community Sports and Fitness Complex.

JULY 6 - Canadian Forces (CF) sports and fitness buffs were given something to cheer about today after CFPSA President and CEO John Geci together with National Defence Minister Art Eggleton and CFB Kingston Base Commander Colonel Peter Atkinson officially opened the new Kingston Military Community Sports and Fitness Complex.

In his address to an enthusiastic group of CF dignitaries, guests and the general public, Geci said, "This latest project constructed under the PSP Construction program continues to represent in Kingston our commitment to the well-being of Canadian Forces members and their families."

Eggleton echoed Geci's sentiments, "The facilities provide the students of Royal Military College (RMC), base personnel and the local community with the environment they need to maintain a high level of physical fitness and well-being."

The new complex features an eight-lane 25-meter pool, a 4,500m2 field house and a refurbished gymnasium encircled by a new 200m running track. Existing weight and cardiovascular fitness areas, multi-purpose rooms and office spaces were all upgraded as part of the project.

Construction of the new facilities - a result of the partnership between the Canadian Force Base Kingston, RMC the CF Recruiting Education and Training System (CFRETS) the Army and the CFPSA - cost $15.8 million. CFRETS and the Army contributed one half of the funding while the CFPSA came up with the other half.

"This is just one of many facilities we're constructing at CF locations across the country," said Geci. "Every time members of the CF community shop at CANEX or take out SISIP insurance policies the money they spend gets funneled back into the community and is used to construct wonderful building projects such as this project here in Kingston."

The Kingston Military Community Sports and Fitness Complex is the latest facility opened under PSP's $162 million New Recapitalization program. To date 33 projects totaling more than $146 million have been built and five new buildings are scheduled for completion this year.