Sask. Polytech fitness centres to reopen, no rehires planned
Steering committee suggests gyms fall within school’s wellness strategy
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is reopening six fitness-focused facilities at its campuses in Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert just two months after the school announced it would end its traditional athletics programs.
In June, officials said the changes — which were met with concerns from students — were part of the school’s strategy to move to a more holistic wellness strategy. Sports teams at Sask. Polytech ceased to exist and seven people lost their jobs.
Reopening the facilities is not a reversal of the school’s decision, said Terence Carswell, associate vice-president of human resources.
He said the decision is a step further under the school’s new strategy, which is focused on wellness in life, mind, body and community. He said the decision resulted from recommendations from a recently formed “wellness steering committee” made up of students, staff and faculty.
“Really, what they ’re doing is exploring and making recommendations on a broad spectrum of wellness dimensions,” Carswell said.
The steering committee felt reopening the facilities fits well under the strategy’s “body” dimension, but other aspects of the program, like the sports teams, have ended indefinitely, he said.
The steering committee is now focusing on organizing “welcome back” celebrations for students and staff, plus future events like Orange Shirt Day in support of Reconciliation efforts in Canada and a “big bike” event in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
While gyms and fitness centres at each campus will reopen, those who lost their jobs won’t be hired back.
Saskatchewan Polytech expects the facilities to be reopened by Aug. 8, with further plans for secure student and staff access at each campus to be rolled out later.