The ETC was closed in 2020 when COVID began, and the AIS has used the time to enhance the facility for Australian athletes and to plan further upgrades.  Buildings have been resurfaced to meet the very latest Australian construction codes and safety standards. Other planned improvements include upgrades to bathrooms and the expansion of a dedicated ergometer room.

Two Australian employees have arrived to join the three Italian staff on the ground and have been working to get the ETC ready for the busy period ahead. Rowing and Paddle are two sports who have already returned to use the facilities. Rowing will continue to feature heavily, including 80 athletes in June and another 150 athletes arriving in July to prepare for the U19 and U23 world rowing championships. Wheelchair rugby is one of the new guest sports looking to take advantage of the ETC, booked for two camps in 2022. The AIS is in discussions with other sports that can now see the advantages of using the ETC as their European base.

The ETC will continue to be a pivotal “home base” for Australian athletes to train and prepare for key events in the next few years, which include the 2024 Paris Summer Games and the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. To make athletes really feel at home, the canoeists even did a Gnocchi Master Class with the new caterers at the ETC recently.