The University of Victoria athletics and recreation department is opening its doors to the public to celebrate the Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities’s first anniversary on Saturday.
After years of pursuing the facility’s creation, Clint Hamilton, director of athletics and recreation, is finding it hard to believe it’s been a full year already.
While most of the facility was up and running in May 2015, the high performance basketball gym and adjoining hallway, now known as the Walk of Excellence, were delayed until the fall. By opening the fitness centre, bouldering wall and various fitness studios, it gave the Vikes athletics and recreation administration a chance to ease into the transition.
“Opening in May [2015] gave us a time to open when it’s less busy than a September term, less students on campus, and a large number of people from the community bought memberships,” Hamilton said.
The CARSA anniversary community open house is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visitors will be automatically entered to win a draw prize, including a year’s free membership.
UVic is hoping to attract members of the community who haven’t been, or those who were unaware the public can also use the gym facilities at CARSA.
“We’ve had great response to memberships, the Spin studio has been a major hit, and also the fitness and weight centre instructional programs,” Hamilton said.
All are welcome to the open house with tours running every 30 minutes.
A number of free classes will be offered (no registration necessary) throughout the day, Detox Yoga at 10 to 10:45 a.m. in the Mind Body Studio, a beginner TRX class from 11 to 11:45 a.m. in the TRX Studio, a 45-minute Spin class from 12 to 12:45 p.m. in the Spin Studio and a Cardio & Core Quickie from 1 to 1:45 p.m. in the Movement Studio. The climbing wall will also be open.
CARSA has a minimum age for use in the fitness weight centre of 14, accompanied by an adult, otherwise users must be 16 and over.