Calabogie, Ontario – Cheryl Gallant, MP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke was pleased to join Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon to officially open the Calabogie Adaptive Skiing ‘Centre of Excellence.’ This new facility at the Calabogie Peaks Resort and Conference Center is designed to accommodate disabled adults and children. Among the many programs offered include a 5 day Winter Sports Clinic for injured military veterans and Community Living Days for disabled adults in Renfrew County.
“At the Standing Committee on National Defence, we are currently conducting a study on the care of ill and injured Canadian Forces members. A Winter Sports Clinic for injured military personnel and their families has been held for the past two years in partnership with ‘Soldier On’ at Calabogie Peaks,” observed Cheryl Gallant, MP. “This year the ‘Wounded Warrior’ organization will provide funding.”
“As the goal of activities like skiing is to build confidence and self-esteem, I believe it is important to periodically to ‘think outside the box” when it comes to rehabilitative activities such as this. Our goal as a government is to provide world class facilities and strategies for the care and treatment of injured veterans. I am pleased that the Canadian Forces have made soldiers aware of the opportunity to participate in the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing and Calabogie Peaks’ innovative programs in past years.
Through the Federal Government’s Enabling Accessibility Program, the Center of Excellence received $150,000. It now features two wheelchair ramps, a large washroom equipped with adult changing facilities and a 300 square foot basement storage space for skis, sit skis and other specialized adaptive equipment.
The Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing (CADS) was founded in 1976. It is a volunteer based organization having as its main objective, assisting individuals with a disability to lead richer and fuller lives through active participation in recreational and competitive snowsports. The CADS National Capital Division leads a program at Calabogie Peaks that teaches about 75 students and military personnel in various programs with over 65 volunteers.