The sprawling white dome that has become a landmark along College Drive in North Bay is about to transform into something more ambitious—a specialized training ground for the next generation of elite athletes.
After months of quiet planning, Canadore College announced yesterday the formation of its Elite Sports Academy, a comprehensive athletic development program that will operate within the college’s dome facility starting this September.
“This isn’t just another training program,” explains Michael DeGagnĂ©, president of Canadore College, during yesterday’s announcement at the campus. “We’re creating a complete ecosystem where athletic excellence meets academic opportunity, right here in Northern Ontario.”
The academy’s launch marks a significant milestone for the region, which has historically seen talented young athletes leave for southern Ontario or beyond to access elite training. Standing beneath the dome’s soaring ceiling, DeGagnĂ© pointed to the 87,000 square-foot indoor facility as a game-changer for the North.
“Our youth shouldn’t have to choose between staying close to home and pursuing sporting excellence,” he said. “That’s the gap we’re filling.”
The program will initially focus on hockey, basketball, volleyball, and soccer, with specialized coaching staff recruited from professional and university sports backgrounds. Sources familiar with the hiring process indicate the college has already secured commitments from two former Canadian Olympic team coaches, though their names remain under wraps until contract finalization.
Behind the scenes, the academy has been a passion project for Dave Saad, Canadore’s Athletics Coordinator, who spent the past year studying similar models across Canada.
“We looked at successful programs in British Columbia and Quebec, but wanted something uniquely suited to Northern Ontario,” Saad told me during a facility tour. “The dome gives us weather-proofing you simply need in this climate. Kids can train at midnight in January if needed – that’s the kind of advantage we’ve never had before.”
Walking through the facility reveals the scale of Canadore’s ambition. The artificial turf field already hosts community soccer leagues, but construction has begun on basketball courts, a strength and conditioning area, and analysis rooms equipped with motion-capture technology.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation has contributed $1.2 million toward equipment and facilities, while an additional $800,000 has come from private sector partners, including regional mining and forestry companies interested in workforce development.
The academy’s announcement arrives at a time when smaller communities are increasingly fighting to retain young talent. North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico, who attended the launch, called the academy “a powerful retention tool” for the region.
“When families consider where to settle, educational and recreational opportunities weigh heavily,” Chirico said. “This academy makes North Bay more competitive in keeping and attracting families who might otherwise look south.”
For student-athletes like Mackenzie Larocque, a grade 11 volleyball standout at West Ferris Secondary School, the academy represents opportunity. “I’ve been traveling to Barrie twice a month for specialized training,” she explained while watching the announcement. “That’s a three-hour drive each way. Having this at home changes everything for players like me.”
The program will operate on two tracks – a high-performance stream for elite athletes targeting university scholarships or professional careers, and a development stream focused on younger athletes showing potential. Both will include integrated academic support through partnerships with area high schools and Canadore’s existing programs.
According to Statistics Canada, only about 5% of Canadian youth athletes have access to high-performance training facilities within their home communities – a figure that drops below 2% in Northern Ontario. The new academy aims to address this disparity while building on the region’s proud sporting heritage.
Local coaching associations have responded enthusiastically. “Northern Ontario has always produced tough, hardworking athletes,” notes Steve Davidson, president of the Near North Coaches Association. “What’s been missing are the facilities and specialized coaching to refine that natural talent. This fills a massive gap in our development pathway.”
The financial model includes a combination of tuition fees, community access memberships, and ongoing sponsorships. While full program costs haven’t been finalized, Saad indicated the academy will offer scholarships covering up to 50% of fees for athletes demonstrating both exceptional talent and financial need.
“We’ve learned from other programs that accessibility matters,” Saad emphasized. “The next great Canadian athlete might come from a family that can’t afford elite training. We won’t miss discovering that talent because of financial barriers.”
For parents like Jennifer Morris, whose daughter plays competitive basketball, the academy represents significant savings. “We spent nearly $12,000 last year on travel to Toronto for training sessions and showcase tournaments,” Morris said. “Having high-level coaching here means more than convenience – it makes this path affordable for more families.”
The academy will also serve as a testing ground for sports science research through Canadore’s Health programs, creating opportunities for students in athletic therapy, nutrition, and biomechanics to gain practical experience.
As I walked the perimeter of the dome, watching workers install new flooring for the basketball courts, the scale of northern ambition was evident. What began as a community recreation space has evolved into something with potential national significance – a talent pipeline in a region often overlooked in Canadian sports development.
Applications for the inaugural cohort open next month, with assessment camps scheduled throughout the summer. If successful, college officials indicate the model could expand to other Northern Ontario communities through satellite programs.
“We’re not just building athletes,” DeGagnĂ© said as the announcement concluded. “We’re building a reason for talented young people to see a future for themselves right here in the North.”
For a region that has long watched its promising youth depart for opportunities elsewhere, that might be the most valuable outcome of all.
