The community attended in good numbers, dignitaries spoke, a visiting dance troupe performed, but in the end it was Paralympic athlete Josh Dueck who put into words what the fully accessible Kimberley Conference and Athletic Training Centre meant to him.

"It's empowering. I don't have to depend on others to move me or my stuff. I can do it by myself."

Dueck, born and raised in Kimberley was getting his first look at the facility during grand opening ceremonies Thursday.. The verdict? He's impressed.

"It's huge for this valley. It's a step forward for the Paralympic movement in this country."

Dueck says in his four years travelling the world cup circuit to major races he has never seen a facility like it.

"The potential here is huge," Dueck said. "The building itself is a step forward. Good quality training facilities are not easy to come by. This has got potential. We need to show the world what we've got."

Dueck also said that he appreciated the many Kimberley residents who travelled to Vancouver to cheer him on for the Paralympics.

"The medal falls a distant second to the support from my community," he said. "And this training facility will create many success stories like my own. This is huge."

Dueck also acknowledged that all disabled athletes owe a huge debt to Kimberley's own Jerry Johnston, recipient of the Order of Canada and one of the founders of disabled skiing in Canada.

Mayor Jim Ogilvie said Thursday was one of the best days of his political life, as the years of trying to secure enough money to build the centre finally came to fruition. It was just another example of how Kimberley can work together to stay sustainable, he said.

"The sustainability of our community has been proven time and time again," he said. "We're still here, and we're clearly demonstrating that we are sustainable."

The 14,000 square foot centre contains a ballroom that can seat 390 for a sit down dinner, or 500 for a reception. The ballroom can be split in half for smaller functions. There are also three breakout rooms, a prefunction space and a full kitchen. Upstairs in the training centre are fully accessible washroom change rooms, a wax room, exercise room and training room, complete with floor to ceiling windows looking out on the ski slopes and a ski out exit to the lifts on the same level.

The Centre exceeds the Model National Energy Code by more than 30 per cent, and offers meeting packages designed to lower its carbon footprint.

Speaking at the opening were Mayor Ogilvie, Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett, Jerry Johnston, Josh Dueck, Andy Cohen from RCR, Greg Deck, Vice Chair, Columbia Basin Trust, Cindy Popescul, Director, Southern Interior Dvelo9pmetn Initiative Trust, Rick Jensen, New Dawn Developments.