Charlottetown, PE (February 16, 2023) – After many years of planning, the town of North Rustico reached a historic milestone today with the opening of Eliyahu Wellness Centre at Canada Games Place.

A legacy project of the 2023 Canada Winter Games, the new facility will play host to Short Track Speed Skating and Figure Skating competitions during the two weeks of the Games.   

The PEI 2023 Host Society, Canada Games Council, Government of Canada, Province of Prince Edward Island, Town of North Rustico along with community members celebrated the grand opening of the brand new legacy facility with an official ribbon cutting ceremony, stakeholder reception, and free community skate. 

Located in the heart of North Rustico, the Eliyahu Wellness Centre at Canada Games Place is home to PEI’s only Olympic-sized ice surface. The new venue will play a big part in delivering life-shaping Games experiences for athletes and all participants while creating a sporting legacy for the entire province.

The 2023 Canada Winter Games will be a moment shared by the entire nation, and its legacy will live on long into the future. Investment in local infrastructure will pay dividends for generations to come, with new and improved community facilities that will leave PEI stronger and healthier for having hosted the Games.

After the PEI 2023 Games, the facility will be home to the Mount Academy and will be open to the community and local sports organizations to improve sport in the province. 

The Government of Canada invested more than $4.1 million in the project, including $3.8 million through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), and a further $350,270 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) to equip the space for facility rentals and hospitality. The Government of Prince Edward Island invested $3.1 million, while the municipality is contributing $2.9 million. The PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games Host Society contributed $2 million to the legacy facility.

To learn more about the 2023 Canada Winter Games broadcast or to purchase tickets, visit 2023canadagames.ca

QUOTES

“The North Rustico arena has been at the centre of the community for decades, bringing residents together and keeping them healthy and active. This incredible new facility that we are celebrating today will do that and more, allowing for a wider variety of sports and recreational activities. Projects like this one help build a stronger economy, stronger communities and stronger families.”

• Heath MacDonald, Member of Parliament for Malpeque, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“It's a proud moment for our Island to see this state-of-the-art facility open its doors officially right on time for the Canada Winter Games. This rink and community hub will help generations of athletes reach new competitive heights while providing the people of North Rustico and the surrounding area with a bright, modern space to be active, connect with each other, and host activities for all to enjoy.”

• Premier Dennis King, Province of Prince Edward Island 

“There are no limits to what can be achieved. If one dreams big, works hard and never gives up, then amazing things can happen. This is a historic day for North Rustico and an amazing day for Islanders! Thank you to the Federal Government, Provincial Government, Canada Games and the fundraising efforts of the 13 Communities; North Rustico, Rusticoville, Rustico, New Glasgow, Oyster Bed Bridge, Wheatley River, Hunter River, Cavendish, Hope River, Brackley, Breadalbane and St.Anne’s. Today, we celebrate the opening of the Eliyahu Wellness Centre at Canada Games Place, a home for all Islanders and athletes to learn, grow and achieve unlimited capabilities, for generations to come.”

• Mayor Heather McKenna, Town of North Rustico

“The true legacy of the Canada Games extends well beyond what happens on the field of play. The Games transform communities through sustainable legacy projects like the Eliyahu Wellness Centre at Canada Games Place, which will undoubtedly spark greatness in the people of North Rustico and Islanders across PEI for years to come.”

• Evan Johnston, Chair, Canada Games Council 

“We’re incredibly proud to contribute to this beautiful legacy facility that will be home to Canada’s next best speed skaters and figure skaters during the Canada Games. In a couple of days, North Rustico will shine in the national spotlight as we welcome thousands of visitors and Canada’s best athletes to our Island for the 29th edition of the Games.”

• Wayne Carew, Chair, PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games.