CHULA VISTA, California - Marty McFly predicted many cool things to come by October 2015 in Back to the Future, but nothing as impressive and innovative as the new Easton Archery Center of Excellence in Chula Vista. Jim Easton, a long time supporter of the sport of archery, gifted the U.S. with the world's most premier training facility, which opens today with a grand ceremony.
Caren Sawyer, Executive Director for Easton Foundations shared: "our objective was to create a center of excellence for archery where elite athletes could train with the best conditions, with the best coaches and under the best conditions, and where aspiring archers would also have the chance to experience the conditions of how the elite train and have the opportunity to take classes or participate in events at a world class archery center."
The new archery training center, unlike anything before it, is a 42,629 sq. ft. facility consisting of a 22,440 sq. ft. 70-meter indoor range, a nearly 1,100 sq. ft. indoor/outdoor shooting range, fitness room, athlete lounge, coaches' and staff offices, conference rooms and a large classroom.
The technology within the center includes ultra-high speed video, a 3D imaging system and multiple high-tech tools to assist current and future Olympians and Paralympians toward their goal of reaching the podium on the world stage. The site also consists of a 30-bedroom housing complex, two 90-meter outdoor ranges and much more.
"USA Archery is very excited about the opening of the new Easton Center of Excellence," enthused USA Archery CEO Denise Parker. "This project has been a dream of longstanding supporter of USA Archery, Jim Easton, and we are thrilled to see it come to fruition. Thanks to the generosity of the Easton family, we look forward to the opportunities to come from the finest, most state-of-the-art archery training facility in the world. Our athletes who are fortunate enough to live and train in the Easton Center will have access to the best resources available, while being wrapped in its inspiring architecture and design."
National Head Coach KiSik Lee shared the excitement: "This is a great stepping stone for new stage of the Olympic movement of USA archery. We have the best facility in the world that would not only inspire athletes, but make them more proud to be part of Team USA."
Women's Head Coach Guy Krueger echoed: "This amazing new facility will provide our athletes the opportunity to challenge their beliefs of what is possible, inspire them to push the envelope in performance, and reach new heights in international competitiveness."
From the athletes' perspective: "It's definitely the best training center I've ever been in," commented Olympic hopeful and Resident Athlete Mackenzie Brown. "It's really great, definitely state-of-the-art. LaNola [Pritchard] was doing testing this morning with the 3D imaging programs that we've got in there, which is going to be amazing to have. It's really awesome being able to shoot at 70 meters inside."
Greg Easton, President of the Easton Foundations, shared on behalf of his family: "We are excited to see the next step in our founder's vision become a reality. This Center is the first of its kind in many ways. It will move us closer to fulfilling our vision of increasing archery participation and raising the skill of U.S. Archers by creating a seamless path from the introduction to archery through top-level training. We look forward to welcoming local, national, and international archers to Chula Vista and working with our sister centers in Newberry Florida, Yankton South Dakota, Salt Lake City, and our affiliated centers."
Photo by Roger Marble.
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