Architect renderings new UWinnipeg Fieldhouse and Wellness Centre
WINNIPEG, MB – A mixed-use wellness and athletics complex will rise on The University of Winnipeg’s Spence Street Promenade offering students, inner-city residents and youth new recreation options in the heart of downtown. The new $31.5 million fieldhouse is today made possible by a $15 million capital investment from the Province of Manitoba. The province had previously pledged support towards the project after it was initially conceived by the University of Winnipeg in 2007.The complex will include a regulation-size indoor soccer field that will accommodate other sports such as lacrosse and touch-football. The complex will also include a 10,000 square foot Wellness Centre, and a parkade.
The new complex will include additional classrooms for athletics and kinesiology students, as well as a robust community use protocol to ensure neighbourhood children and organizations have quality recreational opportunities.
“Manitobans are avid sport enthusiasts and soccer is one of the fastest growing sports in the province, enjoyed by all ages,” said Premier Selinger. “This new complex, which will be accessible to all, will help us meet the growing demand for a high quality facility in the city’s downtown.”
Peter Muir, Premier Greg Selinger, David Fitzpatrick, Doran Reid, Glen Bergeron, Lloyd Axworthy – announce fieldhouse – June 30, 2011. Photo by Kelly Morton
“The City of Winnipeg was pleased to have taken a leadership role in this initiative last Fall and invest $2 million dollars in ensuring this important project becomes a reality,” said Mayor Sam Katz.
More athletic choices for students and community
“The University of Winnipeg recently added competitive men and women’s soccer to the Wesmen family, and today’s announcement by Premier Selinger means our students, faculty and coaches will see a significant expansion of athletic and related academic programming,” said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg. “We will also see an increase in intramural programming, and enhanced opportunities for inner city children and youth. We recognize that participating in sports in a safe and healthy environment can be a critically important part of development in a young person’s life, and offers youth a sense of camaraderie and belonging. This is central to the University’s Community Learning strategy.”
UWinnipeg now supports six community sports teams of youth aged 9-13 in partnership with organizations such as the Spence Neighbourhood Association and the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba.
In addition to funding for the new field house at UWinnipeg, the Province will also provide funding to the Winnipeg Soccer Federation to support a feasibility study to determine an appropriate location for another indoor soccer facility in Winnipeg’s north end.
“This is a great day for soccer in Manitoba,” said Peter Muir, Chair of the Winnipeg Soccer Federation. “Participation in soccer has dramatically increased in the women’s, men’s and youth leagues. This facility will help us meet the growing demand for more indoor soccer across all ages and abilities.Furthermore, the central location of this new facility will ensure that it will be accessible to soccer teams from all areas of Winnipeg, particularly those from the inner-city, and we can hardly wait to begin playing in it once it is built. We are grateful for the Province’s of Manitoba’s support in making this new facility possible.”
The groundbreaking for the new UWinnipeg fieldhouse is targeted for spring 2012. It will rise alongside Spence Street between the Duckworth Centre and the new bus loop near Portage Avenue. The project will be self-financing and will have no impact on UWinnipeg’s ongoing operations.
MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Poulin, Communications Officer, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
