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YMCA

Laurier-YMCA athletic complex nears completion

Anticipation is building as the Laurier-YMCA athletic and recreation complex in downtown Brantford prepares to welcome its first users later this summer.

With construction of the structure's main components complete, tradespeople at the site have turned their attention toward final fits and finishes. The facility, which was made possible thanks to a partnership forged between Laurier and the YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington and Brantford, will provide for the health, fitness, social and recreation needs of area residents, students at Laurier and partner post-secondary institutions in the community.

"This has been a project many years in the making and we look forward to welcoming everyone through the doors very soon,” said Pat Kitchen, former associate director in Laurier's Athletics and Recreation department who was recently appointed general manager of the new Laurier-YMCA facility. "We know that many people, including Laurier students, alumni, donors, YMCA members, and various levels of government all came together to make this a possibility. We can’t wait for them to see the result of their support and collaboration.”

A ribbon cutting will take place in the fall to officially celebrate the new facility. In the interim, tours are being planned that will allow people to see the building, including an exclusive Laurier alumni event during Brantford Homecoming on Sept. 22.

During the tours guests will have a chance to see all that the new 122,000-square-foot facility has to offer. The building's amenities include:

  • An aquatics centre with a two-tank pool and an on-deck hot tub for teaching, fitness, therapy and leisure;
  • A double gym designed for sports and competition with retractable stadium seating for 860;
  • A single gym for drop-in sports and larger programs;
  • Four levels of program areas including three studios and two levels of state-of-the-art fitness equipment;
  • A Youth Zone space and child-minding services;
  • A dedicated student lounge where Laurier students can study together or socialize.

"This has been a project many years in the making and we look forward to welcoming everyone through the doors very soon."

– Pat Kitchen

The Laurier-YMCA athletic and recreation complex will also feature health intake consultation rooms for specialized community-based health care programs in partnership with Hamilton Health Sciences and the Brant Community Healthcare System.

"A facility like this positively impacts the overall health and well-being of the community it serves," Kitchen said. "It makes all of us affiliated with this project proud to see both Laurier's and the YMCA's traditions of community partnership realized on such a large scale and in such a meaningful way."