An open house will be held at UBC Okanagan on July 11, giving Okanagan residents an opportunity to help plan the future of recreational and athletic programs offered by the rapidly growing university.
“Over the next five years there will be great change at UBC Okanagan,” says Rob Johnson, Director of Athletics and Recreation. “Our department is looking for community input on how it can best serve the needs of both the campus and the community, in terms of facilities, programming and partnerships.”
The arrival of UBC has provided a unique opportunity to expand facilities and programming — indoor and outdoor recreational options as well as varsity teams, Johnson notes.
“UBC Okanagan is committed to developing a closer connection to the community and we see the provision of recreational and sport programming as a key way to accomplish this,” says Johnson. “Given the interdependency of facility development and possible programming, we are very interested in hearing from the public what they see as important components of this program.”
Issues to be explored include current and future needs such as artificial fields, ice sheets, natural grass, gymnasium, and field house facilities. Johnson says the department is in discussions with the City of Kelowna, District of Lake Country and several other recreation/sport service providers in the region, looking at possible partnerships and efficiencies.
“We want to make sure that any group or individual who has an idea for how we can best serve our students and the community, has the chance to bring it forward for consideration. The Open House will be a great opportunity to have direct input into how your university plans the future of its athletics and recreation development,” says Johnson.
UBC Okanagan’s Department of Athletics and Recreation will hold an Open House on Tuesday, July 11, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the UBC Okanagan Student Services Building upper foyer.
Open House – Athletics and Recreation Department
When: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Where: UBC Okanagan Student Services Building upper foyer.
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