Construction of a National Training Centre at Quamichan Lake
Quamichan Lake is a shallow, scenic, protected body of water that makes it ideal for year-round rowing condition.
Photo credit Kevin Light
Overview
Quamichan Lake is an under-utilized lake that can easily accommodate a 6-lane, 2000-metre buoyed racecourse that is needed by the national rowing team for daily training and hosting selection trials and regattas.
At full build-out, this four-phase project will include enhanced lake access, a shell house for storing national team and community rowing equipment, and a dryland training centre – and will be the first purpose-built para-rowing facility in Canada.
This initiative supports Phase Two improvements that will focus on shoreline and dock infrastructure, such as fully accessible pathways and ramps; new launches for rowing shells, canoes and kayaks, and personal watercraft; improved roadway access, turnaround, accessible parking, and a staging area where watercraft can be readied for launch. A sheltered floating dock will also be installed for motorized launches used for coaching, safety, and officiating of selection trials and small regattas.
The presence of national team athletes is also expected to inspire interest in community and high-school level recreational and competitive rowing, as has occurred at RCA’s current training centre on Elk Lake.
Project Details
Project Impact
The Trust invests in projects using a Wellbeing Impact Framework that looks beyond traditional economic metrics. This approach evaluates how each investment strengthens economic prosperity, cultural vitality, climate resilience, and social empowerment. By focusing on outcomes that matter to people and place, the Trust works to spur new investments that create meaningful, lasting benefits across Vancouver Island and the coast.
Image Gallery
Rowing Canada, photo courtesy Kevin Light