MAJOR RENOVATIONS AROUND ATHLETICS
Since the opening of the Gordon Wragg Student Centre in 1979, Humber Athletics has continually upgraded its facilities to meet the demands of its student-athletes and increasing student population.
In 2000, over $2 million was spent on upgrading the Gordon Wragg Student Centre, yet the Department of Athletics and Recreation has not stopped there. Last September, Athletics unveiled the brand new, state-of-the-art, three-storey athletic centre at Lakeshore Campus.
September 14, 2000
by Jeff Neal
Athletic Director Doug Fox thinks the $2 million in renovations to the Athletic Centre will be worth the wait.
He hoped to have the main floor completed by late-September as the second floor is scheduled to open by Nov. 30.
"Our offices and change rooms were supposed to be open. The main floor is behind schedule, but it is not affecting the upper area. It's just how long it's taken to build the structures to support the new additions to the upper level," Fox said.
"A fitness centre is the latest addition to the Gordon Wragg Athletic Centre, featuring a weight/cardio room and fitness studio," Fox said. "The weight room will include free weights, Cybex equipment and an assortment of cardio equipment.
A 1,500 to 1,800 square-foot fitness studio will provide about 40 to 50 square-feet per person for exercise classes for 30 to 35 people.
"We have a tremendous world class facility in the gymnasium, but the fitness facilities just weren't adequate. We also didn't have the place for classes such as aerobics, so we added an aerobic studio and classroom studio."
Other additions include a fitness-testing centre, conference rooms, a new entrance to the pool, and renovations to the athletic centre office.
"Our office is being renovated because we need a stairwell in there and an elevator for disabled people as well," Doug Fox said.
Fox said the entrance to the pool had been a problem in the past.
"We put a pool in, in conjunction with Parks and Recreation a couple of years ago, and did not have a proper entrance, so we thought we'd go straight through squash court one and build a proper entrance to the pool."
"It will cost approximately $2 million," Fox said. "Equipment costs are a part of that: $225, 000 has been allocated to new weights and equipment."
Although there is no charge to use the facilities, there was an $11 increase in student activity fees.
"Because of the way the fee structure has been set up, students here do not have to pay any additional fees. Every other college that has been renovated, they have to pay-at Algonquin; there are user fees, at Georgian; there are user fees, at Fanshawe, at Seneca; there are user fees. They have to pay, like a community user fee, here it's free for students. As for benefits, that is huge," facility manager Jim Bialek said.
Students at Seneca College pay $90 for three months, and $110 for the "Ultimate" package. At Algonquin, four months' use of the fitness centre costs $45.
Another benefit will be more jobs for students.
"Part of the [fee] increase is towards operational costs such as staffing the weight room all day," Fox said.
"On top of that, there will be aerobics instructors, fitness testers, and personal trainers. Part of the budget goes to hire students to do all those things as well."
