Gifted by archery benefactor and sports industry innovator Jim Easton, the San Diego Easton Archery Centre of Excellence is to officially open on Thursday 22 October.
The 42,629 sq ft facility, which includes an indoor 70-metre range covering half the site, outdoor range, fitness room, athlete lounge, coaches offices, classes and conference rooms was designed by Jim Easton’s brother, Bob Easton.
Conceptually, as well as functionally, the building lives and breathes archery.
The multi-million dollar centre’s curved ceiling, supported by nearly-90-foot-long glulam wooden beams, was created to complement the classic flight of the arrow.
For the talented athletes who make use of the state-of-the-art ultra-high speed video systems and 3D imaging or stay in the 30-bed housing block, the centre will be a place to for “archers from around the world to pursue their competitive dreams”.
“Part of my vision to support the development of sports education and programmes for youth and aspiring Olympians and Paralympians has included designing, building and supporting archery training facilities,” said Jim Easton, Chairman of Easton Foundations.
“The Easton Archery Centre of Excellence is the culmination of years of planning and hard work by a team devoted to the goal of providing leadership, facilities, programmes, training and education for the growth and development of archery.”
Jim served as President of World Archery from 1989 to 2005, when he was made an Honorary President. He became a member of the International Olympic Committee in 1994 and was elected IOC Vice President in 2002.
A life-long devotee to the sport of archery, Jim joined his father’s archery manufacturing company in 1960 and oversaw its evolution and growth. As of 2015, Jas D Easton – the world’s largest archery equipment company – owns Easton Technical Products, Hoyt Archery and Delta Sports.
He formed the Easton Foundations with the aim of promoting the viability of archery by growing the sport at all levels.
“Archery has meant so much to the Easton family for over 90 years,” said Greg Easton, President of the Easton Foundations and World Archery Executive Board Member.
“Through the Easton Foundations, my father’s dream of supporting archery from the grassroots and community level all the way to high-end competitive archers is being realised.”
The Easton Archery Centre of Excellence is the fourth such facility operated by the organisation in the United States. The four other centres are based in Salt Lake City, Newberry, Van Nuys and Yankton.
The foundation has also contributed to five associate centres in the USA, the Archery Excellence Centre in Madrid, Spain – and the new World Archery Excellence Centre, due to open its doors in 2016 in the Olympic Capital of Lausanne, Switzerland.
