UVic Plans Major Upgrade To Athletics And Recreation

The University of Victoria’s Board of Governors has approved preliminary planning and a funding feasibility study for renovations to the McKinnon Building and the construction of an adjacent new complex. This would dramatically improve access to athletics, recreation and health and wellness programs on campus. The project would also help the university retain and attract students, faculty and staff as well as top athletes.

The study is the result of a comprehensive facility assessment of on-campus athletic, recreation, physical education, and related research and educational facilities. The study shows the current facilities are no longer able to meet the users’ increasing range of needs. It also indicates that current and prospective students consider recreational facilities and programs to be a major deciding factor when they choose a university.

The new project would house Athletics and Recreation (ATRS), the School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education (EPHE) and CanAssist, UVic’s leading-edge disabilities support program. EPHE would stay in the McKinnon Building, which will be renovated to address the research and teaching laboratory, and office needs of the school. A new building would house ATRS and CanAssist.

“This is an exciting opportunity for UVic,” says Clint Hamilton, the director of UVic’s Department of Athletics and Recreation. “The improved capacity and quality that can be realized through this project will enhance the academic, research, athletic, and recreational experiences for users both on and off campus. It will reduce recreation waitlists, improve the quality and variety of recreation programs, enhance research facilities, provide state-of-the-art high performance training and competition facilities for varsity athletes, and increase our ability to address community needs.”

The board has approved the development of a program of requirements and a schematic design, and a funding feasibility study for the first phase of the project, valued at $58.7 million. The project is expected to be funded through a combination of UVic, government, and philanthropic sources as well as student fees.

This spring the Board of Governors will make a decision about whether the construction phase of the project will proceed.
 

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