“Our academic plan identifies the student experience as our number one priority,” says Professor Vivek Goel, U of T’s vice-president and provost. “The renewal of the Varsity site will be a huge benefit for students who will be able to use the new centre for academic programs, varsity and intramural sports and recreation.”
Toronto-based Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc. in association with sports designer Ellerbe Becket will provide consulting services for the project.
Following development of a master plan for the site, construction of the seating, field and track is expected to be completed by fall 2006. The regulation-size playing field will accommodate soccer, football and other sports. The surrounding eight-lane track will serve as both a training and competitive venue, meeting the standards of the International Association Athletics Federations as well as accommodating wheelchair racing. These amenities, to cost approximately $16 million, represent the first phase of a $56-million complex envisioned as a versatile centre of physical activity for all.
“These plans were developed with broad community consultation and reaffirm the important role of physical fitness and recreation in the health and well-being of our students and staff as well as the broader community,” says Professor Bruce Kidd, dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Health. “The Varsity Centre will significantly enhance learning beyond the classroom and strengthen the continuum of opportunities in healthy physical activity.”
Subsequent phases that are proposed will include a bubble-like air-supported structure installed over the playing field in winter months, a three- or four-story building at the south end of the site to accommodate indoor training, research, teaching and support spaces, and renovations to Varsity Arena. The bubble will be able to accommodate three activities simultaneously, providing much-needed activity space for varsity and intramural teams and community use. Subject to funding availability and approvals, the entire Varsity Centre development could be completed by fall 2008.
Internationally renowned Diamond + Schmitt has completed several projects on U of T’s St. George campus, most recently the award-winning Bahen Centre for Information Technology and the Morrison Pavilion addition to the Gerstein Science and Information Centre.
An innovator since its founding in 1909, Ellerbe Becket is a leader in architecture, engineering and the construction industry with office locations worldwide.
Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada’s leading teaching and research university with more than 67,000 students and over 400,000 alumni worldwide. The university comprises 28 academic divisions, colleges and faculties on three campuses. This includes 14 professional faculties, numerous research centres, nine affiliated teaching hospitals and Canada’s largest university library system – the fourth largest in North America. For 11 consecutive years, U of T has taken the top spot among research intensive universities in the annual Maclean’s magazine university ranking.
Contact: news@ellerbebecket.com Mary Alice Thring, 1-416-946-8369
