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NSWIS Thrilled With Penrith Olympic Facilities Upgrade

Penrith Whitewater Stadium and Sydney International Regatta Centre will receive $6.7 million from the NSW Government to upgrade the facilities ahead of the International Canoe Federation’s Canoe Slalom World Championships.

The NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) is thrilled with the announcement as the funds will provide access to better facilities, supporting NSWIS athletes to become world’s best.

“Our athletes have enjoyed the Olympic facilities at Penrith since 2000 and we have seen champions produced from the national home of paddle sports, most notably one of the greatest paddlers of all time, NSWIS scholarship holder Jessica Fox,” NSWIS CEO Kevin Thompson said.

“These funds will provide new life for an important Olympic venue as we look towards Brisbane 2032.

NSW Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the upgrades to Penrith Whitewater Stadium come on top of $3.6 million in the 2022/23 Sport Budget to improve the competition timing system at Sydney International Regatta Centre.

“We are proud of our Penrith sporting venues and enjoy hosting, not only our local community and Australia, but the global paddling family,” Mr Henskens said.

The works will see upgrades to the whitewater course and stadium infrastructure including new course gates and obstacles, a new timing system, lighting and stadium pathways improvements and canoe conveyor system upgrades.

“The $3.1 million upgrade to Penrith Whitewater Stadium will ensure the facility is not just ready to host the Canoe Slalom World Championships in 2025 but guarantee it is the best World Championships ever,” State Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres said.

The NSW Office of Sport will take over management of the Penrith Whitewater Stadium on 1 July 2023.

Paddle Australia CEO Phil Jones welcomed the NSW Government’s infrastructure upgrades to the Penrith Whitewater Stadium and Sydney International Regatta Centre.

“The upgrades enable us to meet international specifications for hosting the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Penrith, continuing the legacy of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games for our sport and the local community,” Mr Jones said.

“This essential work will boost the preparation of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes for the Paris 2024 Games, while making the venue more adaptable for other uses like recreational rafting, kayaking and swift water rescue training.”

International Canoe Federation’s President Thomas Konietzko said he was thrilled to bring international competition back to Penrith Whitewater Stadium.