The results are in, and the Golden Hawks have spoken!
On Thursday, February 1st, the results of the enhanced Athletics & Recreation fee referendum were announced.
With over 70% of the vote, Wilfrid Laurier University students voted to support the enhanced Athletics & Recreation fee. This fee will be used to improve the amenities on the Waterloo campus to provide the best spaces for students on campus to study, connect and thrive.
"This is an exciting milestone for the future of Athletics & Recreation on the Waterloo campus," said Director of Athletics & Recreation, Kate McCrae Bristol. "Throughout this campaign, we gathered a lot of feedback from students. Now we're excited that we'll be able to get to work and bring those collective visions to reality."
Some immediate enhancements that will be in place as early as September 2024 include:
• Upgraded & enhanced changerooms in the Athletic Complex
• Fitness Centre upgrades
• New field turf at Knight-Newborough Field (University Stadium).
• Winterization "Bubble" installation for four-season facility at University Stadium
• New study spaces in the Athletic Complex
• Accessibility improvements in the Athletic Complex
The new fee was welcome news not only to students, but to those who support athletics at Laurier.
“This truly marks the beginning of an exciting new era for Athletics and Recreation at Laurier,” said Peter Izzio (BSc ’90), celebrated Laurier alum and long-time supporter of Laurier Athletics & Recreation. “The benefits to our students and varsity athletes will be in place very quickly and continue for years to come.”
The ‘yes’ vote also served to bolster support for the Seagram Drive Athletics and Recreation Project, which involves a revitalization of University Stadium. The proposed new facility will feature student lounge areas, bookable student spaces, a food outlet, gymnasium and training spaces, and a new high-performance centre that will be available to all students and set Laurier varsity teams up to compete for more championships.
“As coaches, we’re very excited about this and our athletes are excited about this as well," said Michael Faulds, head coach and manager of football operations. "They know the difference this funding will make for them and the Laurier athletes of tomorrow.”
The full redevelopment vision would mean housing more than 3,000 fans in the new grandstands, four-season access to 76,000 square feet of recreation space and over 1,500 hours of field time to athletes.
Funds generated from the new fee will add to the $2.5 million already pledged by the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union and the Graduate Students’ Association.
Stay tuned for progress updates or see how to get involved with this transformative multi-phased project.
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