Brandon University unveiled architectural floor plans and an artist's rendering of its planned new fitness centre, which will be located at Louise Avenue and 20th Street and incorporate the University's existing gymnasium building, at a press conference today. The new $14 million facility will incorporate renovations to BU's current 30,000 square-foot facility into new construction that will expand eastward to increase the centre's total size to almost 70,000
square feet. The new facility will compliment other fitness and wellness facilities in the Brandon community and enhance fitness and recreation options for Westman residents by including...
Private funding will account for approximately one-third of the centre's anticipated $14 million cost, while the other two-thirds will be provided through the federal and provincial Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Program.
To date, $1.2 million dollars have been raised toward the cost from private donors.
Construction on the new fitness centre is expected to begin during the summer of 2008, with a targeted occupancy date of September 2009.
More information on the new centre will be released in the near future, as further details become available.
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For more information, or to arrange for interviews or graphics, please
contact:
Kelly Stifora
Communications Officer
Brandon University
Phone: (204) 727-9762
Email: communications@brandonu.ca
square feet. The new facility will compliment other fitness and wellness facilities in the Brandon community and enhance fitness and recreation options for Westman residents by including...
- . an indoor walking track
- . a cardio fitness facility
- . weight resistance exercise machines
- . a multi-purpose area
- . an expanded sport/medical facility
- . enhanced programming for BU staff and students and the Westman community
- . three full-size gymnasiums
- . 1300 bleacher seats
- . modern change rooms and washrooms
- . a hall of fame area
- . added classroom space
- . 150 new parking stalls, plus five new stalls for disabled persons
The new facility will be built to the green standard of LEED Silver, making it one of the most energy efficient facilities in the City of Brandon. In addition, renovations to the existing facility will, as much as possible, be designed to those same standards.
Private funding will account for approximately one-third of the centre's anticipated $14 million cost, while the other two-thirds will be provided through the federal and provincial Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Program.
To date, $1.2 million dollars have been raised toward the cost from private donors.
"Brandon University's new fitness centre will be of great benefit to not only Brandon University staff and students, but to the Brandon community in general," says Brandon University Athletic Director Kirk De Fazio. "We're building a facility that will welcome everyone. I want to personally invite Brandon's seniors to come in and get memberships for using the walking track and cardio facility, Brandon high schools to approach us about using the facility for tournaments and events, and everyone in the community to make use of the enhanced sports medicine facility that will be included. The point is that it is very important to us that this centre not be just for the Bobcats and for BU students, but for everyone."
"This is a facility that will benefit the University and the Brandon Community," adds Brandon University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Louis P. Visentin. "Personally I can't wait to power walk on the track when it's -40 outside."
"A center of this caliber will help us attract and retain the top level recruits necessary to compete in the always strong Canada West conference,"
says Bobcats men's basketball Head Coach Mike Raimbault.
"This facility will allow us the ability to help and monitor the whole academic, physical, and mental wellness of our student athletes," says Bobcats women's volleyball Head Coach Lee Carter
"The new facility be of great benefit to Bobcat teams and provide a foundation to remain competitive with the other Canada West programs for years to come," adds men's volleyball Head Coach Russ Paddock. "It will also be important to the city and Western Manitoba as many events, sporting and otherwise, will now be able to take place outside of Winnipeg."
"We have a university with nationally ranked basketball and volleyball teams that as a community we are very proud of," says Brandon dentist and former BU & YOU Campaign Chair, Dr. Tom Breneman, an ongoing proponent of the fitness centre project. "A new facility will enhance these programs and increase community involvement with better viewing options. An indoor track and improved fitness areas will be an asset to both campus and community lifestyles."
Bobcat fan and Brandon resident Ellis Crowston adds "I've always said that Bobcat sports is the best value for your sporting dollar in Westman and a new facility will encourage more people to discover this."
Construction on the new fitness centre is expected to begin during the summer of 2008, with a targeted occupancy date of September 2009.
More information on the new centre will be released in the near future, as further details become available.
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For more information, or to arrange for interviews or graphics, please
contact:
Kelly Stifora
Communications Officer
Brandon University
Phone: (204) 727-9762
Email: communications@brandonu.ca