UOIT celebrates grand opening of Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre expansion

OSHAWA, Ont. - Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) celebrated the importance of a healthy mind and body today, with a grand opening ceremony and open house for the spectacular 90,000-square-foot Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre (CRWC) expansion at their shared Oshawa campus.

Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president of UOIT, and Leah Myers, president of Durham College, were joined by Athletic Director Ken Babcock; Kathy Lazenby, director of Campus Health Services; Gary Polonsky, Durham College and UOIT president emeritus; Your Student Association (SA) President Fraser McArthur; and former SA president Thomas Coughlan for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. The expansion opened in June and is the result of more than three years of research, planning and construction

"I am absolutely thrilled to have our new building expansion open," said Babcock. "This multi-purpose facility will transform our campus in the areas of athletics, health and wellness and at the same time promote student recruitment and retention. I am extremely proud of this project and the commitment from our students to support this state-of-the art facility. It is one of the finest facilities of its kind in the country."

The new facility houses a plethora of athletic and recreational services, including the FLEX, a 10,000-sq.-ft. fitness centre featuring state-of-the-art cardio and weight machines; two aerobic/dance studios; two training rooms for sports training and fitness-related classes; and student and staff locker rooms complete with towel service and saunas. Student athletes will be able to showcase their skills in the new 28,000-sq.-ft. triple gymnasium, which has the capacity to seat 2,000 spectators and also houses an elevated indoor jogging/walking track.

Another exciting component of the CRWC is the expanded Health Centre. Besides featuring a full-service pharmacy, the centre provides first-class medical, counselling and health education services to students and staff. The medical clinic within the centre features extended hours of service, on-site doctors and nurses, on-site counselling and a variety of alternative health services, including massage therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, nutritional counselling and chiropractic and orthotic services.

"The opening of the expanded health centre is a monumental moment," said Lazenby. "This expansion signifies a strong commitment by both schools to the overall health and well-being of our students, staff and all those who have a need for quality medical care. We realize that for our students to be at their best, they have to feel their best and the Health Centre offers critical services to meet that goal."

Along with a strong focus on students, the new space will also welcome staff, faculty and community members, as well as provide exceptional facilities for numerous special events, including the opening and closing ceremonies and basketball events of the 2008 Special Olympics Ontario Spring Games, as well as Durham College Fall Convocation.

Members of the Durham Lords and UOIT Ridgebacks varsity athletic programs also stand to benefit greatly from the new addition. The development features a modern athletic therapy clinic, team rooms, a separate varsity administrative area and a stunning trophy case, displaying the schools' many significant athletic achievements.

For those students looking for a healthy, competitive alternative to varsity sports, the CRWC provides space for intramural leagues and tournaments.

About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's 5,000 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers more than 30 challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of Business and Information Technology, Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Sciences. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.

About Durham College
Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 80 different full-time market-driven programs and hundreds of continuing education and part-time programs, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for close to 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of close to 95 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has close to 6,100 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and over 1,575 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
Michelle Good
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2197
michelle.good@dc-uoit.ca