Athletic Director Ken Babcock addresses students, faculty and staff at the grand opening of the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre.
Durham College recently celebrated the importance of a healthy mind and body, with a grand opening ceremony and open house for the spectacular 90,000-square-foot Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre (CRWC) expansion on September 12.
Leah Myers, president of Durham College, was joined by Athletic Director Ken Babcock; Kathy Lazenby, director of Campus Health Services; Gary Polonsky, Durham College president emeritus; Your Student Association (SA) President Fraser McArthur; former SA president Thomas Coughlan; and other partners and guests 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 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."
The new space will welcome students, 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.