A recent decision by the UPEI athletics department to open its facilities to nine non-profit groups has garnered considerable positive feedback.
"I think it's a great opportunity," said Mike MacKinnon, of Queens County Residential Services Inc. "It's great. A lot of our clients never had this opportunity before."
Others, like Mark Cameron, a community development officer with Queens County Residential Services Inc., agree.
"It brings the groups together," he said. "It's a great way to get out, have fun and have exercise."
The decision comes as part of a joint project between UPEI and the Department of Community Services, Seniors and Labour aimed at providing opportunities for people who don't normally have access to wellness facilities and programs.
The project is in the midst of a six-week pilot run, which will later be evaluated by a steering committee with plans to continue developing opportunities and addressing key health issues such as obesity.
"It's a good thing for the community, the university and everyone involved," said Mike Redmond, UPEI athletics department.
Redmond said already there has been a heavy response from interested organizations.
"It's fantastic. Having over 200 participants already, you know the potential for growth is there."
Facilities open include the UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place, CARI Complex, MacLauchlan Arena and Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. Groups involved include Tremploy Inc., P.E.I. Association for Newcomers to Canada, Alzheimer Society of P.E.I., P.E.I. Council of People with Disabilities, Special Olympics P.E.I., Queens County Residential Services Inc., Canadian Mental Health Association, Association for Community Living and the Canadian Paraplegic Association.
UPEI athletics department opens facilities to nine non-profit groups
A group enjoys a game of soccer at UPEI. The university sports facilities were recently made available for non-profit groups associated with the university to use as part of a six-week pilot project. Guardian photo by Nathan Rochford
- Published on June 16, 2010
- Published on July 8, 2010
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Nathan Rochford
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Comments
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- four change
- - February 6, 2011 at 10:17:52
What a great opportunity to engage the community and have them comfortable with the University as well. I participate in the walking track at $10.50/month and it is a great avenue to keep moving during the winter. Yes, our tax dollars contributed. On average the Canadian family receives $41,000 per year in public services, the reason why we pay personal taxes and the reason why they increased this year by $400. Corporate taxes were cut by 1.5% which means $6.1 billion less in revenue. We must remember this when our costs go up to use these facilities.
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- Limit the
- - July 8, 2010 at 19:04:12
We, as residents of Charlottetown, should be able to have open and free access to all of the facilities at UPEI to get out, have fun and to exercise. We pay enough for it, but if we're not a member of the ablove mentioned groups, we're out of luck......thanks for nothing. Here, have some more of my tax dollars......
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- huh?
- - July 8, 2010 at 19:03:50
Once your tax dollars covers 100% of the construction and operating costs maybe then we can claim the right to have user fees eliminated.
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- huh?
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:52:43
Once your tax dollars covers 100% of the construction and operating costs maybe then we can claim the right to have user fees eliminated.
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- Limit the
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:52:43
We, as residents of Charlottetown, should be able to have open and free access to all of the facilities at UPEI to get out, have fun and to exercise. We pay enough for it, but if we're not a member of the ablove mentioned groups, we're out of luck......thanks for nothing. Here, have some more of my tax dollars......
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- huh?
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:51:00
Once your tax dollars covers 100% of the construction and operating costs maybe then we can claim the right to have user fees eliminated.
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- Limit the
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:51:00
We, as residents of Charlottetown, should be able to have open and free access to all of the facilities at UPEI to get out, have fun and to exercise. We pay enough for it, but if we're not a member of the ablove mentioned groups, we're out of luck......thanks for nothing. Here, have some more of my tax dollars......
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- Limit the
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:48:11
We, as residents of Charlottetown, should be able to have open and free access to all of the facilities at UPEI to get out, have fun and to exercise. We pay enough for it, but if we're not a member of the ablove mentioned groups, we're out of luck......thanks for nothing. Here, have some more of my tax dollars......
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- huh?
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:48:09
Once your tax dollars covers 100% of the construction and operating costs maybe then we can claim the right to have user fees eliminated.
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- huh?
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:46:27
Once your tax dollars covers 100% of the construction and operating costs maybe then we can claim the right to have user fees eliminated.
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- Limit the
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:46:27
We, as residents of Charlottetown, should be able to have open and free access to all of the facilities at UPEI to get out, have fun and to exercise. We pay enough for it, but if we're not a member of the ablove mentioned groups, we're out of luck......thanks for nothing. Here, have some more of my tax dollars......
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- huh?
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:45:04
Once your tax dollars covers 100% of the construction and operating costs maybe then we can claim the right to have user fees eliminated.
-
- Limit the
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:45:04
We, as residents of Charlottetown, should be able to have open and free access to all of the facilities at UPEI to get out, have fun and to exercise. We pay enough for it, but if we're not a member of the ablove mentioned groups, we're out of luck......thanks for nothing. Here, have some more of my tax dollars......
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