FORT KENT (NEWS CENTER Maine) – The Fort Kent Outdoor Center has become a place where Olympic-worthy athletes start their journey.
Over the last 20 years, the training center started by the U.S. Biathlon Association in the late ‘90s has been built up by the community around it.
"We're a long ways north and that's a blessing and a curse,” Carl Theriault said.
Theriault, the president of the center, said Fort Kent’s climate and abundance of snow has made it the perfect place to host athletes from all over the globe.
“For me this is my life now. This is my passion,” Theriault said.
Theriault and his team have worked to make it place a world-class facility since day one. Some Mainers even trained there to become Olympic stars.
"It makes us all proud I think that someone that has worked with our venue, our environment, our people has been able to achieve that,” Theriault said.
Stolkholm native Russel Currier was just named to the this year's U.S. Olympic team.
“We're very proud of Russel and anyone else who has been here over the years that we can help along,” Theriault said. “That's our goal.”
It is that dedication that allows biathletes like 18-year-old Sarah Beaulieu get their start.
“I love the challenge. I really do,” Beaulieau said. “I know it's kind of cheesy and a lot of people say that but it really is. It's rewarding when all your hard work pays off."
The organization is working to make it more than just a training facility though. Laura Audibert is one of the volunteers dedicated to making it a destination.
“It's sometimes hard to get off the couch but when you come out to a place like this it's worth every minute," Audibert said.
She has lead the way to create more than 5 miles of snowshoeing trails on the property. The goal: to make the outdoors accessible to everyone no matter the skillset.
"I was born and brought up here and I always said this hill should be used for recreation and it is!" Allan Dow said.
Dow is another volunteer who has poured his heart and soul into the facility since day one. He said it is the dedication of the community that has made it into what it is today.
Whether it is taking a trek through the woods or training to be the next Olympic star, The Fort Kent Outdoor Center is where it all begins.
"It's put Fort Kent on the world map,” Dow said.
The Winter Olympics kick off in PyeongChang on Feb. 8th only on NEWS CENTER Maine.