New WAIS home first of its kind in Australia

• Construction begins at new WAIS High Performance Service Centre

• Athletes will get access to latest technology in sports science and recovery

Some of Western Australia's best athletes have joined Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron to mark the start of construction of a new high performance training facility for the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS).

Mr Waldron officially launched the construction of the $33.7million WAIS High Performance Service Centre today at Mount Claremont, with WAIS athletes, Kim Mickle, Lauren Mitchell and Shaun Norris.

The Minister said the facility would provide WA athletes access to unrivaled training facilities and the latest technology in sports science and recovery.

"The current WAIS facility has been in operation since 1987 and was lacking critical elements of high performance servicing, including a lack of wheelchair access for our elite athletes with a disability," he said.

"The new High Performance Service Centre will provide our WA athletes with access to the best facilities of their kind in Australia, with the latest technology in sports science and recovery.

"It will allow WAIS to work with more than 250 athletes in 11 dedicated sporting programs like cycling, swimming, gymnastics, track and field, hockey and kayaking as well as a host of individual athletes from sports outside WAIS. WAIS is also home to the national training programs for pole vault and javelin."

Alongside offices for WAIS staff and coaches, the centre will offer athletes:

• state-of-the-art testing and training facilities

• hydrotherapy and recovery pools

• an indoor runway

• environmental and physiology laboratories

• a strength and conditioning gym

• athlete amenities

"Many of the WAIS athletes will be vying for a spot on the Olympic and Paralympic team going to Rio in 2016. The new centre will also nurture those making State and National teams," the Minister said.

Esslemont Cockram has been named as the builder and the Centre is scheduled for completion in early 2015.

         Fact File

• The State Government is committed to providing the best facilities for West Australians and athletes including the new State Netball Centre, the redevelopment of nib Stadium and the new Perth Stadium.

Minister's office - 6552 6100