New satellite athletics centre opens at Waterfront campus. 

Students at George Brown College’s (GBC) downtown campuses did not have recreation and fitness facilities when they came back from the pandemic.  

With the newly opened satellite athletic centre at the Waterfront campus, that will no longer be an issue. 

Prior to the pandemic, the St. James campus housed the athletic centre for students based downtown. However, since a fire in the 200 King St. E building left the centre out of service, Casa Loma campus has been the only place GBC students can go to work out or use gym facilities. 

Melanie Gerin-Lajoie, manager of athletics and recreation at GBC, shared that there was a real need for this satellite athletic center. 

“It’s usually important from a health and wellness standpoint, for the students to have access to a space that’s outside of their classrooms where they can go relax, have fun,” she shared. “Physical health has a big impact on mental health in being able to have those things that can, take your mind off, reduce stress, be able to do things with people in a social setting.” 

The space that is now the athletic centre was previously used in the fitness and health promotion program, which has since been discontinued at the college. The department had been working on clearing out the space and getting things ready in time for the start of the Winter 2023 semester. 

Representatives from the Student Association (SA) had also reached out to the Athletics department to discuss what was possible, seeing the continued closure of the St. James’ 200 King St. E building.  

While the plan to open the satellite centre was already underway, the SA was engaged as the athletics team worked on approvals and planning for the opening of the centre. 

Soon a new and larger athletics space will be accessible to students at the Limberlost building, which is currently under construction. Gerin-Lajoie suggested that this new center may serve as a teaser for what the building’s completion will bring in about a year and a half.  

Since the grand opening on Jan. 17, many students have been there to use the services and show their interest in getting more involved. 

“We are happy to have activated these spaces.  They have brought a renewed energy and a new element of health and wellness to the Waterfront Campus.  The students have embraced the spaces and are making good use of them,” said Joe Stapleton, manager of student life. 

The new athletics centre has two main elements – the weight room and the rec room. The weight room houses weights and cardio equipment. The rec room is a mini fitness studio where the department plans to run campus recreation programmes and hold fitness classes.  

Gerin-Lajoie shared that they would most likely be offering fitness classes after the February intersession week.  

Currently, they provide online, on-demand fitness classes for yoga, strength and stability, and cardio and tone.  

Geoff Gordon, athletic facility coordinator at the new centre said, “The space is also becoming a social spot via our multi-purpose room, greatly improving student life on campus. Both table tennis and pickleball have been very popular with our students. Providing them some fun and activity between classes.” 

The athletics centre and recreational facilities are covered in the fees and require no additional costs.  

Students can register and avail the services available at the new athletic center from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.