Lakehead University - Orillia and YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka establish new partnership for students

Joint Media Release

(June 6, 2011 - Orillia, ON) Lakehead University students enrolled at the Orillia campus this fall will have access to a wide range of athletic facilities and services, thanks to a creative partnership recently developed between the University and the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka.

Starting in September 2011, all full-time students will have access to YMCA facilities throughout Simcoe/Muskoka as part of their existing athletic fees. The student athletic fee was instituted last year for the first time at the Orillia campus to support recreation activities, intramurals, competitive sports, and special events. While many students took advantage of the programs offered, some students were interested in additional opportunities.

"The number one comment from students concerning athletics was the need for access to a gym facility," said Liz Ross, Lakehead - Orillia's Athletics and Recreation Facilitator.

Without its own athletic facility, or plans to develop one in the near future, it made sense for the Orillia campus to partner with an existing facility in the community. The YMCA became an obvious choice because of its locations throughout Simcoe County and Muskoka. "This is particularly important because many of our students are commuters who travel to Orillia from throughout Central Ontario," says Ross.

Frank Cappadocia, Assistant Dean, Student Affairs was also impressed by the YMCA philosophy of supporting healthy lifestyles, promoting youth leadership and encouraging families to become better people and citizens. "These values are a good match with ours and align well with the way we strive to support our students and provide a positive university experience."

Cappadocia, along with Brian Jeffs, Lakehead - Orillia's Assistant Vice-President, Administration and Finance worked with members of the YMCA, including Gilda Evely, General Manager at the Orillia YMCA; Tom Coon (former CEO, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka); and Karen Pulla (Vice President, Health, Wellness & Community Recreation Programs), to work out an agreement. The outcome is a partnership that will enable both organizations to realize significant benefits.

"This partnership will be a huge benefit to our students, who will now be able to stay active on their own schedule," notes Cappadocia. "Students will be able to take advantage of the huge number of drop-in classes offered by the Y and with the variety of offerings, students will be able to customize their own athletics program."

In addition to individual use, the YMCA facilities will also be used for the University's intramural sports leagues, while members of Lakehead's club and varsity teams will be able to use the fitness/weight room areas for training workouts.

The Orillia YMCA has a long history of supporting all of its community members, by supplying opportunities for all to participate. "We are thrilled with this new partnership," says Pulla. "We look forward to supporting the students of Lakehead as they join us to stay healthy and strong, as they journey through their studies and school work. The founding vision of the YMCA, over 160 years ago, was dedicated to developing individuals in spirit, mind and body, and we feel this is as important today, as our students embark on their life journey."

A study conducted by Dr. Ted Mitchell in 2008, Exercise Boosts the Brain, states that: "... exercise affects things like improved memory, academic performance and executive function at work... the connection is powerful... As our kids mature, improving their ability to remain focused for learning is critical; exercise has a role. As our schedules create more stress, achieving mental calmness is needed; exercise has a role."

The Orillia YMCA recently reopened a newly expanded and renovated facility. General Manager Gilda Evely commented: "The energy the students will bring as they join us at the Y, is the perfect addition to the excitement that the community has already shown with its support of our newly renovated YMCA."

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Media: For more information, please contact Lakehead University's Communications Officer, Kathy Hunt, at 705-330-4008 ext. 2014 or kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca or Karen Pulla, Interim CEO & Vice President, Health, Wellness & Community Recreation Programs, at 705-726-9622 ext. 432 or Karen­­_Pulla@ymca.ca

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with campuses in Thunder Bay and Orillia. It offers post-secondary undergraduate and graduate programs as well as research expertise that meet specific regional needs. The University is known for its multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. Lakehead-Orillia opened in 2006, and in September 2010 opened the doors of its new Academic Building at 500 University Avenue. This is the first phase in the development of a campus that will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka currently serves over 60,000 people in Simcoe and Muskoka Counties in Central Ontario. As our Mission Statement affirms, "The YMCA is a charity that excels in strengthening our communities by providing opportunities for all to grow in Spirit, Mind and Body." Our Vision is to be recognized as the community leader in lifelong health and personal growth.