University unveils plans for $73M complex
The new $73-million Lancer Sport and Recreation Centre is going to be a “game changer” for the University of Windsor, says the dean of human kinetics.
“Our goal has also been to build a facility that is as good as everyone else. That dream is becoming a reality,” Michael Khan said Wednesday, as the school displayed drawings of the new centre. In addition to putting an end to space constraints during varsity games, the new facility will serve as a great recruiting tool for athletes and for students. A 2013 North American survey found 68 per cent of students felt recreation facilities were an important factor in choosing their university.
“We felt even from a recruitment standpoint this was very important for the reputation of the university and the pride we have,” Khan said. “Our goal has always been to enhance the student experience on campus, and we want to build a campus where students are active, healthy, happy and really mix that into their lifestyle.” Several student referendums with input from the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance, the Graduate Student Society and the Organization of Part-time Undergraduate Students were held before the design was finalized. The 130,000-square-foot centre will have a triple-gymnasium with seating for 2,500 spectators, an eight-lane, 25-metre pool as well as a number of multiple-use rooms and a fitness gym, which is triple the size of the old one. Craig Goodman of CS&P Architects Inc. said the current St. Denis Centre relies on a single multi-purpose room and a field house. The old entrance to the field house is split into two of five multipurpose rooms in the concept and serves as the Student Social Hub main arrival space. An artificial turf soccer field with lights will be constructed behind the field house along with three practice fields. Goodman expects renovations and upgrades to the current building to start by summer. However, the new construction is unlikely to begin until January 2019. “They really wanted to have a sense of a home court for Lancers basketball and volleyball, which was not happening in the existing field house,” he said.
“So the design is really focused on making it feel arena-bowl style and really intense where you know you are at a game when you are there.”
In addition, fans will get to their seats through an upper mezzanine that will help to keep fans and athletes separate. Also, as Goodman pointed out, every seat will be a good seat.
“The bowl is going to take the whole facility and the character of athletics at the university to a new level and will be more equivalent to some of the top facilities in the province,” he said.