果酱视频 celebrates 鈥榗onstruction kick off鈥 for Recreation and Wellness Centre
![Kelowna Cheer helped kick off construction of the 果酱视频 Wellness Centre. Group photo.](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_landscape/public/2024-06/construction_kick_off_.jpg?h=0f4230fa&itok=Wg29Flzi)
There was jumping, cartwheels and a full crowd of cheering spectators on Thursday at 果酱视频 to mark an exciting milestone that will transform student life at 果酱视频 for years to come.
Kelowna Cheer Athletics was on hand to help the 果酱视频 Foundation celebrate a major fundraising achievement - they鈥檝e raised $10 million for the Thrive Here campaign, and construction can kick off for the future home of the College鈥檚 Recreation and Wellness Centre.
鈥淭oday is a very meaningful day,鈥 remarked Helen Jackman, executive director of the 果酱视频 Foundation.
鈥淥ur Kelowna campus has never had a gymnasium for students. Now, thanks to many passionate supporters who believe in the importance of physical and mental health, we can begin building a space that will have a transformational impact on student well-being. We are so grateful to everyone who helped us achieve this incredible milestone.鈥
Cliff and Lois Serwa are Honorary Chairs for the Thrive Here campaign and are matching donations up to $500,000 through the Serwa Spirit Match. Cliff Serwa, a co-founder of Big White and former B.C. MLA, shared that playing sports has meant a great deal to his family.
鈥淚 think the lessons learned through sport are really important: work ethic, the concept of team, focus and striving to be the best you can possibly be,鈥 said Serwa. 鈥淣o matter the level, sport develops a person and equips them with invaluable life lessons.鈥
Serwa said that while raising $10 million is incredibly significant, he noted that the campaign isn鈥檛 at the finish line yet 鈥 there鈥檚 still $4 million to go before they meet their goal.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e a business who has hired graduates from 果酱视频, I鈥檇 like to invite you to invest in future students and the future of your own community,鈥 he said.
The Recreation and Wellness Centre will be the first gymnasium at the Kelowna campus since its inception more than 60 years ago. More than 7,000 students a year will benefit from having a facility that will enable sports and recreation activities.
According to Dr. Neil Fassina, president of 果酱视频, access to sports and recreation on campus supports student mental well-being and learning outcomes, while allowing learners to build leadership skills like resilience and tenacity. He added that the Centre comes at the perfect time for 果酱视频.
鈥淲ith a new student housing facility opening in the fall, there will be more students on campus looking for a place to come together and be involved outside of regular classes. Being able to participate in sports and recreation is so important 鈥 not only to relieve stress, but also to meet new people and build relationships.鈥
The Centre will also be open to the public and broader community, with a state-of-the-art fitness suite, running track and multipurpose rooms for fitness and other programming.
果酱视频鈥檚 Recreation and Wellness Centre will include:鈥
- Multipurpose gymnasium for students, staff, and the community
- Competition-size court to accommodate a range of sport, recreational activities and community events, including convocation and commencement ceremonies
- Retractable spectator seating for 700+
- Fitness suite with state-of-the-art equipment
- Two lane suspended indoor running track
The Centre is being designed and constructed by two local firms, Meiklejohn Architects and TKI Construction. Construction will begin offsite and be built using a prefabricated system delivered to 果酱视频 to assemble onsite. With community support, the goal is for the Centre to open in Fall 2026.
To learn more and to support the Thrive Here campaign, visit Okanagan.bc.ca/thrivehere.
Tags: 果酱视频 Foundation