$2M facility will help U of S lead way in sports science research, says dean
A new $2.068-million sports science and health facility will be a “game-changer’ and put the U of S at the forefront as a national leader, suggests College of Kinesiology dean Chad London.
A 6,200 square-foot space will be devoted to research and treatment in the sports science and health field as part of the new Merlis Belsher sports facility, which also includes two hockey rinks, a pair of practice court gymnasiums and team rooms for Huskie sports teams.
“It’s a game-changer,” London said. “It’s really impressive when you see the before and after, in terms of the two spaces. Having 6,000 square feet of research and lab space more than triples the space that we currently have for that activity.”
The $2,068,000 gift from Ron and Jane Graham will “completely allow us to build out and equip the sports science and health centre” as part of the rink project, he added.
The Ron and Jane Graham Sport Science and Health Centre will aim to enhance and support research in sports performance, conditioning, injury prevention, recovery, nutrition and education of athletes.
The facility will combine multiple branches of science, including physiology, biomechanics and psychology to allow performance assessments and sport psychology coaching for student-athletes and athletes from across Saskatchewan.
“It’s about collaboration,” said London, adding that the facility will benefit all of the U of S. “We’re going to have collaborative research happening with faculty from kinesiology and beyond. We’re looking at the same issues: how do we improve athlete performance and athlete health from a holistic standpoint?”
The new complex will feature space for concussion evaluation, blood and tissue collection, rehabilitation equipment, treadmills, private treatment rooms, body composition testing and labs.
There will be open spaces for collaboration between practitioners and researchers, as well as a three-storey sports engineering impact-testing suite, motion-capture technology and performance assessment equipment and technology.
Student-athletes will be able to access integrated health care teams — made up of sport performance experts and health care professionals — to manage training, injury prevention and rehabilitation.
“With teams being situated out of here, with hockey and basketball and soccer as well, the proximity makes sense,” London said.
“Track and field is right across the street in the Field House. Football is over at Griffiths. Access is a big bonus.”
U of S president Peter Stoicheff called the Grahams’ history of generosity and support campuswide “an astounding figure.” The Grahams have now donated nearly $22 million to the university and its students through various initiatives and awards.
“We’ve always been passionate about sports and athletes at the University of Saskatchewan,” Jane Graham said.
“The possibilities stemming from research conducted at this facility to treat community athletes and advance research in sports science will effect widespread improvements and change for athletes everywhere.”
The Grahams have also funded the addition of basketball courts to Merlis Belsher Place, construction and expansion of the Graham Huskie clubhouse at Griffiths Stadium and the establishment of the Ron and Jane Graham School of Professional Development in the College of Engineering.
“We’re honoured to support this new facility and we look very much forward to seeing the difference it will make for athletes in every sport throughout our city and our province,” Jane Graham said.
The centre is expected to open in early 2019.
Merlis Belsher Place could be ready for the new hockey season in fall.
The facility will also be used as a recruiting tool.
“I understand our coaches are bringing some of our potential recruits through the facility already so they get an inkling of what they may experience if they come to the U of S,” noted London.
“How to say no to this?”