Media Releases >
Media Releases Archive
> Olympic oval could be golden opportunity for SFU
Olympic oval could be golden opportunity for SFU
Document Tools
March 7, 2002
If the Olympics come to town in 2010, SFU could become an immediate winner.
The university is the preferred site of a speed skating oval if the Vancouver/Whistler bid to host the 2010 Olympic winter games is successful. While a decision on who will get the games is still more than a year away, Wilf Wedmann, director of athletics and recreational services at SFU, can’t help but let his imagination glide ahead a little.
"This is not only about a facility," says Wedmann. "It’s about a variety of potential enhancements to the university’s student services and studies, and an innovative repositioning of SFU athletics."
SFU is taking a leadership role in the development of the facility’s concept, pending a decision by the Olympic committee on the bid, expected in July, 2003, says Bill Krane, chair of SFU’s 2010 Olympic Oval committee. The committee will produce a memorandum of agreement by the end of April and have a comprehensive agreement in place by the end of November.
The committee is made up of SFU faculty and staff and includes Olympic wrestling champion Daniel Igali, who graduated from SFU last fall.
Krane, associate vice-president, academic, says committee members are examining several key issues, including where to build the facility and how it could be utilized after the games by the campus and surrounding community.
Potential roles for the facility include using it for sport development and sport science; creating an SFU sport institute — an interdisciplanary study unit which could draw from several schools and faculties, such as kinesiology, psychology, business, education and others; and establishing a Burnaby Mountain sport club.
The new facility could also provide space for a new fitness centre to serve the university as well as the developing Burnaby Mountain Village community. It could also house an expanded physiotherapy clinic to serve a broader clientele.
While an exact site has yet to be determined the facility would be located within the vicinity of the existing gyms and running track. Krane says design features could incorporate the art and culture of First Nations people of the area.
—30—
CONTACT
Bill Krane, 604.291.4636; Wilf Wedmann, 604.291.4080
Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, Media & PR, 604.291.4323
The university is the preferred site of a speed skating oval if the Vancouver/Whistler bid to host the 2010 Olympic winter games is successful. While a decision on who will get the games is still more than a year away, Wilf Wedmann, director of athletics and recreational services at SFU, can’t help but let his imagination glide ahead a little.
"This is not only about a facility," says Wedmann. "It’s about a variety of potential enhancements to the university’s student services and studies, and an innovative repositioning of SFU athletics."
SFU is taking a leadership role in the development of the facility’s concept, pending a decision by the Olympic committee on the bid, expected in July, 2003, says Bill Krane, chair of SFU’s 2010 Olympic Oval committee. The committee will produce a memorandum of agreement by the end of April and have a comprehensive agreement in place by the end of November.
The committee is made up of SFU faculty and staff and includes Olympic wrestling champion Daniel Igali, who graduated from SFU last fall.
Krane, associate vice-president, academic, says committee members are examining several key issues, including where to build the facility and how it could be utilized after the games by the campus and surrounding community.
Potential roles for the facility include using it for sport development and sport science; creating an SFU sport institute — an interdisciplanary study unit which could draw from several schools and faculties, such as kinesiology, psychology, business, education and others; and establishing a Burnaby Mountain sport club.
The new facility could also provide space for a new fitness centre to serve the university as well as the developing Burnaby Mountain Village community. It could also house an expanded physiotherapy clinic to serve a broader clientele.
While an exact site has yet to be determined the facility would be located within the vicinity of the existing gyms and running track. Krane says design features could incorporate the art and culture of First Nations people of the area.
—30—
CONTACT
Bill Krane, 604.291.4636; Wilf Wedmann, 604.291.4080
Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, Media & PR, 604.291.4323