The 26-year-old Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre at UPEI is getting an upgrade worth more than a half a million dollars.

An ACOA contribution, under its Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, of $300,000 will be matched by UPEI for a total of $598,540.

"The number of people who use this facility is an excellent indicator of the growing interest in fitness and health across Canada, and these upgrades will ensure that the sports centre remains relevant to the needs of the community, and the University and its students, for years to come," said Charlottetown MP Sean Casey in a written release.

Casey made the announcement Tuesday at UPEI on behalf of Navdeep Bains, the federal minister responsible for ACOA.

There will be two major renovations: first, a new two-storey, 230-square-metre activity training centre will be created out of existing space in the raquetball court area. Its lower floor will be used for general fitness classes, while an upper-level training area will feature stationary bicycles and interval training.

The aging wooden bleachers in the gymnasium will be replaced with new electronically-operated telescopic bleachers, providing safer and more comfortable seating for audiences.

The fitness facilities at the 26-year-old centre are used by more than 40,000 people each year, including students, gym members, and other visitors, while more than 26,000 people attend events in the gym.

"Communities are made up of great people who require infrastructure that creates venues for community gatherings and encourages healthy living," said Bains in the release.

"The Government of Canada is supporting the preservation and upgrade of these important pieces of social infrastructure well into the future."

The work is expected to start toward the end of June.