Posted on March 28: Students to vote on financing new multi-sport/wellness complex
A student referendum on contributing $20-million for a $30-million multi-sport and wellness complex has the support of McMaster's Board of Governors.
Students will vote April 1 and 2 on supporting a building fee in which students will provide $20 million in capital and 50 per cent of annual operating and lifecycle costs. If the vote is succesful, full-time undergraduate students will pay an additional $60 to $100 per year.
If the referendum is not passed, other financing alternatives will be considered, said President Peter George, or a second student referendum could take place next fall.
George considers the construction of a new athletic facility a top priority. “We built the Ivor Wynne Centre (IWC) 30 years ago so we're well behind the times … this is a high priority as far as I'm concerned,” he said. “The University will benefit from this remarkably.”
Major overcrowding of the IWC, also used for writing exams, recruiting fairs, conferences, concerts and trade shows, is a safety issue, George says, adding McMaster is one of few Ontario universities that has not expanded its athletic and recreation facilities.
There is a strong need for a new multi-sport complex, added director of athletics and recreation Therese Quigley. “The number of students participating in acting living and using athletic facilities are growing,” she said, noting that approximately 70 per cent of McMaster students currently access its programs and services. “If the referendum fails, we may need to go to a lottery system … the numbers we're operating with and the number of visits to facilities per day are exceeding our capacity.”
The Board also approved the Student Contribution Business Plan based on a 30-year payback and supported by internal borrowing from the University of a maximum of $5.3 million. Funding for a proposed $7-million stadium will come from University fundraising.
The complex is a component of the Commonwealth Games bid. If Hamilton is successful, the complex will be expanded and enhanced to a $45-million project, with $30 million from the University and $15 million from the Games. A review of the design and scope of the project will be presented to the Planning & Building Committee on April 3 and the complete business plan and planning and building report will go to the Board for approval on April 24. Construction of the multi-sport complex will begin next year, and the building is scheduled to open in spring 2006.
The new facility will be located at the north end of the Ivor Wynne Centre and will house a triple gymnasia, indoor track, Pulse fitness center, new locker rooms, wellness centre and an expanded Sport Medicine Clinic.
