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MORE people with a disability can follow in the footsteps of Paralympic winter sports champions with a $2.5 million investment in an athlete accommodation centre at Falls Creek.
The funding boost, which is not contingent on the Coalition government winning the November election, was announced by Sports Minister Damian Drum yesterday.
He was joined by the retiring member for Benalla Bill Sykes, member for Benambra Bill Tilley and Disabled WinterSport Australia president and chairman Jim Blackburn for the funding announcement, which will go towards the new 40-bed facility at Howmans Gap Alpine Centre.
“We understand the importance of this project,” Mr Drum said.
“Without this investment many potential skiiers simply wouldn’t be able to get on the snow.
“We are giving the entry level skier suitable accommodation and taking away all the inhibitors.
“This is new money and money that was in the budget.
“It is real and is going to be built irrespective of the election.”
Mr Drum said for more than 35 years Disabled WinterSport Australia had been at the forefront of providing people with a disability the chance to experience and develop their full potential in winter sports at alpine resorts.
“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,” he said.
“By investing in quality and multi-purpose 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.”
The funding comes from the government’s strategic sporting infrastructure program.
Mr Tilley paid tribute to Disabled WinterSports Australia and partners YMCA for their efforts to get the project running.
“I encourage our all-abilities winter sports enthusiasts to take advantage of the new accommodation and sporting options available at the centre once it’s ready for the 2016 season,” he said.