Durham College (DC) and Ontario Tech University (OTU) are partnering to expand the Campus Ice Center on Simcoe Street North into a three-storey high-performance complex designed for students.
The plans call for additional lounge and study space, expanded food services, fitness areas and added courts with over almost 5,600 square metres (60,000 square feet) of new space and approximately 836 square metres (9,000 square feet) of renovations throughout the building.
“The main feature is a double gymnasium to go along with more student space, a new fitness centre, along with the strength and conditioning centre as well,” said Scott Dennis the director of Athletics and Recreation at DC.
The new high-performance complex is set to open in August 2028, with construction expected to be underway this fall. The Campus Ice Centre is approximately a one to five minute walk from both Oshawa campuses.
Due to a high demand for recreational and wellness space, DC and OTU decided now was the time for expansion for students and athletes.
“With what we’re hearing right now is students want more intra-murals,” said Dennis. “They want more gym time, more open gym time, more time, and just with all the conflicts and things like that, we thought expanding our facilities was the right thing to do for more of that time that they’re asking for.”
Expanded group fitness classes have been added, such as goat yoga, outdoor pilates and the Mindful Mover’s Hike.
Students and athletes attending the 2028 school year can expect new additions and upgrades when it comes to athletics and wellness, according to Dennis.
That’s good news to some varsity athletes.
“It will provide a lot of space for us. I’ll still be here when the facility opens so I’m looking forward to it,” said Kathy Orella, a second-year player on DC’s women’s basketball team team.
Audra Sherman, the director of Athletics and Recreation at OTU, says both schools look forward to upgrading their facilities for future students, while still being able to meet current students’ needs.
“In a time where a lot of schools are kind of freezing, we have this capacity to grow and we want to be able to provide a real state of the art facility for students, so it’s pretty exciting,” she said.
Neither Sherman nor Dennis would not say what the expansion will cost. However, they did say tuition will not be affected by it.