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Sudbury now home to Ontario's first Para-Nordic training centre

Kivi Park will attract Para-Nordic athletes from all over the province
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Kivi Park leader Melissa Sheridan and triple bronze medallist Collin Cameron at the park's designation as the province's first training centre for Para-Nordic athletes. (Matt Durnan/Sudbury.com)

Kivi Park has been designated as the first Ontario Training Centre for Para-Nordic athletes. 

A small ceremony was held on April 13 to celebrate the distinction, with mayor Brian Bigger, Ward 9 Coun. Deb McIntosh, and three-time Paralympic bronze medallist Collin Cameron all in attendance.

Park leader Melissa Sheridan gave a nod to the dedication of Lily Fielding for her generous donations to Kivi Park that helped make Friday's designation ceremony possible.

"Mrs. Fielding's gift to the residents and visitors of Greater Sudbury is one step closer to becoming a best-in-class facility," said Sheridan. "We are truly honoured to be Ontario's only training centre and look forward to welcoming these wonderful athletes to Kivi Park."

Athletes of all levels and abilities will be able to use the facility to receive quality training and develop their skills and endurance. 

Laurentian Para-Nordic coach and Cross Country Ski Ontario (XCSO) coordinator Patti Kitler was a driving force behind Kivi Park receiving the designation and was beaming with pride during the ceremony.

"It's an amazing facility. We've been working toward this for a long time," said Kitler. "We had training camps at Kivi Park this summer and the feeling of belonging and being welcome encouraged the athletes to train harder and become better athletes. The accessibility is very important to build the Para-Nordic program."

The training centre will provide the opportunity to develop athletes to compete at local, regional, national, and international level. This will allow young athletes to train with top athletes and encourage them to envision their future in the sport.

Kitler hopes to use the centre to provide an avenue for those who have been injured and/or born with a disability an opportunity to become competitive once again.

Sudbury's own Paralympian Collin Cameron joined the celebration on Friday, medals in tow and he spoke highly of Kitler's dedication to the sport and what it will mean for Kivi Park to have this designation.

"We're really lucky to have a facility like this right here in Sudbury," said Cameron. "Patti worked her butt off for this so to see this now is amazing. The sport is already getting more exposure and with this designation we're hoping to get more athletes involved."


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