OTTAWA (July 6) - The Honourable Art Eggleton, Minister of National Defence, participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony today at the Royal Military College (RMC) to announce the official opening of the Kingston Military Community Sports Centre.

The $15 M project expanded and modernized the existing Sir Archibald McDonnell Centre at the Royal Military College. The completed facility is a physical fitness and recreational facility for the military community in Kingston including CFB Kingston, RMC, Land Forces Command and Staff College, local Reserve units and military families.

"This project demonstrates the commitment of my department and the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency to promote an enhanced quality of life for Canadian Forces members and their families," said Minister Eggleton. "The facilities provide the students of RMC, Defence personnel as well as the local community with the environment they need to maintain a high level of physical fitness and well-being."

The facility features a new pool complex, a new field house, and a refurbished main gymnasium. Existing weight and cardio-vascular fitness areas, multi-purpose rooms and associated administrative spaces were all updated as part of the project.

"The centre is good news for the citizens of Kingston who pride themselves on their support for Canada's military personnel and their families," said the Honourable Peter Milliken, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands.

Half of the funding for this project was provided for in the February 2000 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. The other half is drawn from funds provided by the CF Personnel Support Agency through the PSP Recapitalization Program, a co-operative venture among several CF organizations designed to improve facilities for CF members and their families. Projects being carried out under the PSP Recapitalization Program range from renovations of existing buildings such as gymnasia and arenas, to the construction of new community centers, pools and sports complexes.

For more information, please contact:

Captain Darrell Allin
Public Affairs Officer, CFB Kingston
(613) 541-5010 ext. 4778

Media Liaison Office
Department of National Defence
(613) 996-2353

D-NET