Carleton pledges $4.3M to renovate aging recreation facilities
By Philippe de Montigny and Kiran Rana
Duncan Watt, Vice-President for Finance and Administration (Philippe de Montigny, The Impact)
The swimming pool, indoor field house and outdoor lower field turfs are next on the list of renovation projects at Carleton University, the director of recreation and athletics Jennifer Brenning said Tuesday morning.
More than 200 university administrators, department heads and student leaders gathered in the Fenn Lounge conference hall to hear Duncan Watt, vice-president of finance and administration, paint a picture of the university’s finances.
When asked about major projects for Carleton’s athletics and recreation, Watt responded with quick wit.
“We are looking at putting artificial turf on the lower playing field,” he said, prompting some laughter in the audience. “It might not sound like a big deal but it’s like $1.5 million.”
As for replacing the indoor field house turf, that project is in the works for next year. Following both turf projects, the 40-year-old pool will receive a much-needed $2-million facelift.
As an ancillary service, Carleton University’s recreation and athletics department has its own budget separate from the university’s general operating budget.
To fund the renovation projects, the department will rely in part on the budget surpluses it managed to generate after many years of sinking in the red, Brenning said.
Jennifer Brenning, Carleton University Director of Recreation & Athletics (Philippe de Montigny, The Impact)
“We turned a corner three or four years ago,” she added. “We were running a deficit but we’ve actually paid the deficit back and we’re now running a surplus, which is now being used to address our major renovation issues.”
Brenning’s department also receives student ancillary fees, which accounts for 28 per cent of the department’s $12-million budget.
“A couple years ago, there was a vote and they increased the fee by $25 per student for the academic year to help us construct the new fitness centre and buy all new equipment,” the director said. The 11,000 square foot space and equipment costs combined to $1.8 million.
Since its opening in June, the fitness centre has seen a sizeable increase in participation levels, now averaging 250 to 300 card swipes into the facility per hour.
“We had 60,000 swipes in one month,” Brenning said, referring to October’s record participation rate. “In the past, we were seeing around 30 to 40,000 swipes, so we’re seeing a significant uptake from our community participating in the fitness centre.”
Visits to Carleton’s new fitness centre more than doubled since June 2013 (Carleton University Recreation & Athletics)
The recreation facilities are also doing their part to follow the university’s sustainability plan, Watt mentioned in the town hall meeting.
Energy-efficient lighting and low-flush toilets are being installed in the old athletic complex and the Norm Fenn gym area, Brenning said.
“We’ve been working hard on engaging the student body in a number of ways with intramurals, fitness but also as Ravens fans,” Brenning said.
“We are doing this so our Carleton student body feels that they are the Ravens.”
Cover photo courtesy of Carleton University Recreation & Athletics