Construction Begins on Lakehead U’s New Multi-Sport Athletics Facility

(Thunder Bay, June 15, 2004) Construction begins this week on Lakehead University's new Multi-Sport Athletics Facility.

The facility will house an indoor running track, climbing wall, multi-purpose indoor field, aerobic/yoga studio, weight room and fitness center, student lounge and a sports medicine clinic.

"This is a student-driven initiative," says Graham Strickert, Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) President. "It was supported by a referendum, where 76.7% of the students who voted were in favour of a $35-per-semester fee for this new facility."

The initiative to expand the athletic facilities at Lakehead University came out of consultations between the Lakehead University Student Union and the Athletics department during the 2003-2004 school year. The facility will be managed as a joint venture between the Student Union, the Athletics Department, Physical Plant, and University Administration.

"There has been a need for expansion of the Athletics facility for a while now," says Tom Warden, Lakehead University Director of Athletics. "This facility will help meet the lifestyle needs of all our students and further enrich their university experience."

"Lakehead University considers student input crucial to the University's long-term success as a student-centred learning institution. This new sporting facility would not have been possible without the strong student support shown in the referendum results," says Dr. Fred Gilbert, Lakehead University President.

The facility will open in January 2005, and will be accessible to all students. The public will also have access, for a fee.

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For more information, contact: Marla Tomlinson, Office of Communication, Lakehead University, 343-8177 or Graham Strickert, LUSU President, 343-8550.