At the President’s River Reception held earlier today as part of Head of the Trent festivities, Trent University announced the official launch of a $4 million campaign to renew and expand the Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre, a modern, multi-sport centre of excellence, designed to serve the wellness needs of students and all residents of the Peterborough Region.

“This new centre at Trent University will help fulfill the City of Peterborough’s vision for recreation in our community,” said David Morton, chair of Trent’s Board of Governors, referencing the City’s Vision 2010: A Strategic Plan for Recreation, Parks and Culture, which calls for the creation of at least three multipurpose recreation centres in the Peterborough region. “This vision, which was partially fulfilled with the opening of the new YMCA and the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre, will be entirely recognized when the Trent Community Sport and Recreation Centre opens in 2010, making the University a regional hub for sport and recreation.”

Under the theme “Sport, Recreation & Wellness for All,” the $4M campaign is part of a $16 million total investment for new construction and refurbishment of the existing athletics complex at Trent University. The campaign total breaks down as follows:

• $3.69 million for renewing and expanding the building
• $100,000 for Coaching Excellence to ensure Trent’s varsity coaches have access to important professional development opportunities and are equipped with all the tools required to inspire and bring out the best in their athletes.
• $100,000 for Athletic Financial Awards to give Trent the competitive advantage and to help entice elite athletes to pursue their dreams at the University
• $110,000 for Outdoor Education & Leadership to establish two new investment opportunities:
  • Trent’s Nature Advantage Fund to buy new equipment and build programs to ensure youth have year-round access to unique and exciting outdoor learning and recreation opportunities;
  • The Elementary School Spring Program to build on an existing program offered to students in grades three through six to promote healthy lifestyles for children.

“The Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre will not only provide a state-of-the-art facility for students but also for all members of the broader community,” said Peter Adams, campaign co-chair and professor emeritus. “From the new climbing wall to the therapeutic pool, this new centre will offer something for everyone – the very young to the elderly and everyone in between.”

Designed to serve the needs of all residents, including seniors and older adults, children, youth-at-risk, persons with disabilities, members of the workforce, and students, the Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre will boast a variety of new features and unique elements, including:

• New 12,000 sq. ft. cardio loft and weight room
• State-of-the-art 28 ft. high indoor climbing facility
• Unique indoor rowing/paddling tank, the only combination training tank of its kind in the province
• International competitive squash court
• Warm therapy pool, equipped with state-of-the-art features
• Expanded Clinic for Health Excellence offering on-site physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and sports health services
• Complete makeover of the Trent pool
• Updated and redesigned change rooms and showers
• Improved accessibility
• Bistro café
• Environmentally-friendly design and Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) designation

"As a Trent alumnus, I recognize the importance of providing recreational opportunities for students while they are pursuing their academic careers,” said Gary Wolff, campaign co-chair. “This new Centre will provide many opportunities for post-secondary students and all students in the community – elementary and secondary – to participate in innovative and award-winning recreational programs at Trent University.”

Also announced at the launch was a $10,000 gift from the Peterborough Junior ‘A’ Lakers, Peterborough Senior ‘A’ Lakers and the Peterborough Minor Lacrosse Association to support the renewal and expansion of the Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre and to honour local long-time sports broadcasting personality Gary Dalliday. In his honour, Trent University’s stadium field media box will be named the Gary Dalliday Lakers Lacrosse Media Box.

The feature speaker at the event, Olympic gold medal rower and Trent alumnus Rob Marland, delivered a special presentation entitled “My Gold Medal Experience,” in which he discussed how his time as a Trent student helped shape his athletic and career achievements.

Construction of the Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre began in June 2009 and is slated for completion and a Grand Opening in the fall of 2010. For more information, visit the Athletics Campaign web site.