International para athletes flocking to cutting-edge accessible program in Cochrane
It's only a few months old, but a para snow program in Cochrane is already gaining international attention.
The Canadian Para Snow Sport Training Centre officially launched in September. Based out of the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre, it offers wheelchair and visually-impaired athletes training in multiple disciplines, both on and off the slopes.
"For me, it means a lot," para alpine skier Hanna Chilson said. "Every day we are out training and learning new things and improving our abilities. Everything we need is in this building."
The centre offers an accessible gym, swimming pool, arena and physio facility.
"I didn't realize what privilege I had before I had to use facilities that are accessible," sit skier Bailley Unahi added. "So coming to the facilities here is pretty awesome."
The program is hosted by Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS) Alberta. It provides opportunities for those with all abilities to learn to alpine ski or snowboard, and offers its top athletes entrance into competitive international events.
It currently boasts participants from across Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, Ireland and Australia.
"This venue is central to our on-snow training venues of Naskiska, Mount Norquay and Canada Olympic Park," program director Ozzie Sawicki said. "There are limited resources like this for athletes at a performance level, (but) here we can put them into a safe environment where they can really excel, learn, and get involved in an activity that is as much a social opportunity as it is a physical opportunity."
Both Unahi and Chilson agree the physicality of the program isn't all that's on offer.
"Knowing that we have the community and support backing us in our dreams and passion is super helpful," Chilson told CTV News.
"We are seeing some up-and-coming people with disabilities that in the past may not have had the nerve or wherewithal to say I can come and train here," Sawicki said. "They're seeing these athletes train here daily and they are going 'hey, I can come to the gym and I can become a part of that.'"
CADS is a national organization with over 1,000 disabled members and 2,000 abled-bodied volunteers.
To learn more, visit CADSAlberta.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.