Multimillion-dollar high-performance sports training centre in Metro Vancouver to permanently close

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      The COVID-19 pandemic served a financial death knell to one of Canada’s most-advanced athlete training centres, located in Metro Vancouver.

      Fortius Sport and Health opened in Burnaby in 2013 to offer health, fitness, performance, and rehabilitation services for athletes and teams.

      The $61-million, 148,000-square-foot fitness and performance centre, located at 3713 Kensington Avenue in the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex, includes a sports medicine clinic and lab, a fitness and performance centre, a bistro, and a 50-room hotel with a capacity of up to 95 guests.

      Its array of treatments and services include physiotherapy, clinical pilates, massage therapy, hydrotherapy, performance rehabilitation coaching, and team, small group, and personal training. In addition, the nonprofit also collaborated with researchers from UBC, SFU, and other institutions.

      Fortius had announced on November 13 that it would be ending operations, with a final date to be determined.

      On November 19, Fortius confirmed that its closure will be effective as of December 31.

      “The pandemic put tremendous pressure on our business as it has many businesses,” the company explained in a statement. “The challenges of the pandemic made continuing to operate Fortius no longer a possibility.”

      Its partners—Starbucks and FitFirst Footwear—are remaining open during this time period. FitFirst Footwear stated on social media that it is currently open and will provide updates when available.

      In January, Fortius had announced T.C. Carling as its new president and CEO.

      During its run, Fortius hosted and provided services to the likes of the Toronto Raptors, Canada’s national women’s soccer team, Canada’s men’s Olympic field hockey team, various B.C. amateur sports groups from kayaking to wrestling, and Burnaby firefighting, hockey, and soccer teams. 

      You can follow Craig Takeuchi on Twitter at @cinecraig or on Facebook.

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