Fitness, Rehab, & Mental Wellness Under One Roof: Inside CVA’s New High Performance Center
Driven by a shared mission to elevate the training experience of Carrabassett Valley Academy student-athletes, CVA launched a bold capital campaign to bring its High Performance Center to life.
Envisioned as a state-of-the-art facility uniting fitness, rehabilitation, and mental wellness under one roof, the project reshapes how performance is supported on campus. Made possible through generosity, collaboration, and shared purpose, the HPC is now open and already transforming the daily experience of CVA athletes.
“The HPC is an example of CVA’s commitment to the whole athlete,” said Nate McKenzie, Action Sports Director. More than a new facility, the High Performance Center reflects CVA’s holistic approach to athlete development, supporting both physical performance and overall well-being. It features specialized equipment for strength, agility, and endurance, alongside integrated sports medicine and wellness services that support recovery and mental wellness. By centralizing these essential resources, the HPC brings to life a powerful vision: one team, one space, one goal.
“The HPC is an example of CVA’s commitment to the whole athlete,” said Nate McKenzie, Action Sports Director. More than a new facility, the High Performance Center reflects CVA’s holistic approach to athlete development, supporting both physical performance and overall well-being. It features specialized equipment for strength, agility, and endurance, alongside integrated sports medicine and wellness services that support recovery and mental wellness. By centralizing these essential resources, the HPC brings to life a powerful vision: one team, one space, one goal.
Carrabassett Valley Academy has long served as a training ground for athletes pursuing elite levels of competition in skiing and snowboarding. Ask any CVA athlete, and their goals are ambitious, from podium finishes at national championships to World Cup careers and beyond. Success is built through the right environment, the right tools, and exceptional coaching working in alignment.
CVA’s training environment continues to evolve through targeted investments in sport-specific equipment. One example is the KBox machine, which Alpine Program Director Jenny Piot is especially excited about for its training benefits. The system uses flywheel-based resistance that dynamically responds to the athlete’s input, creating a more engaging and sport-specific training experience. “It’s the closest you can get to the sensation of skiing,” Piot said. CVA is committed to bringing these elements together so each student-athlete has the opportunity to reach their full potential on the slopes.
A glance through the windows of the HPC during an athletic training block reveals multiple scenes unfolding in one unified space. Coaches work alongside their teams on cutting-edge strength equipment, athletic trainers guide injury rehabilitation, and students engage in spaces designed to support their overall wellness. Student-athletes across disciplines train side by side in a dynamic, cohesive environment, while those recovering from injury remain connected to their peers throughout the process. As Director of Sports Medicine & High Performance, Tristy Wolfe noted, “The new facility is creating more inclusivity amongst various teams and with injured athletes, which is highly motivating for everyone.”
Within this environment, barriers to training are removed. Students no longer need to move between buildings or navigate limited space. Strength training, injury rehabilitation, and mental wellness support are all accessible in one place, creating a seamless flow throughout the day, including when the Anti-Gravity Complex is closed. The HPC also brings training and programming together more intentionally, connecting athletic development with all-school mental skills education in a single setting.
The High Performance Center was made possible through the generosity of many donors, anchored by a philanthropic gift given in honor of an athlete’s legacy. That gift inspired the creation of a dedicated wellness and recovery space. Designed as a calm, supportive environment for emotional well-being, it underscores the vital role mental health plays in shaping student-athletes.
Together, the HPC reflects a more integrated approach to student-athlete growth at CVA, where performance and well-being are supported within a unified system. The High Performance Center is just the beginning of a broader campus expansion plan designed to further enhance the student experience at CVA. Backed by a community focused on creating opportunities for student-athletes, this guiding vision will continue to shape CVA’s future.
CVA looks forward to celebrating this milestone in person during a formal opening in conjunction with Fall Family Weekend and Homecoming. At that time, everyone will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the impact of this shared investment in student-athletes. Gratitude extends across the CVA community for the many individuals and partners who helped bring this vision to life.
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