Former Olympian Big Fan of Northern Sports Centre

By Kelly Sharp

UNBC President Don Cozzetto and Charmaine Crooks at NSC site

Charmaine Crooks may have been more accustom to the cold if she had been a former winter Olympian. Then again, who trains outside on a -21 day?

Crooks, the five-time Summer Games Olympian for Canada, was in Prince George in her new capacity as a member of the UNBC Board of Governors.

It was her first opportunity to view the nearly half- completed Charles Jago Northern Sports Centre.

“I am really impressed by the magnitude of it,” Charmaine Crooks said.

“I can see how this facility can inject a lot of enthusiasm and passion for all levels of sport.”

The 11-time national champion in Athletics says it’s important the Northern Sports Centre is not just for the development of the elite athlete. Community ownership is essential in helping create a great source of pride for Prince George.

The former Olympic silver medalist in the 800m added the new facility must provide recreational programs based on community needs.

 A member of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics Organizing Committee and IOC Athletes Commission, Charmaine Crooks has seen similar sports models to Prince George attract athletes for pre-Olympic training.

 “There is no reason why Prince George cannot attract other countries and other sports to come here,” Crooks said.

The newest member of the UNBC Board of Governors was reacquainted with an entire community embracing sport when she attended her alma mater, the University of Texas at El Paso. Crooks became the first individual woman to be inducted into the UTEP Hall of Fame.

She is well aware how sport can galvanize a community and is confident the Charles Jago Northern Sports Centre will further enhance community spirit in Prince George.

Email | Print | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Del.icio.us