The redevelopment of a number of active living facilities in Frank Kennedy Centre - including upgrades that will result in a new multipurpose gym, a circuit training area for women, and a hot yoga room - will soon give those who like getting physical some new options for sweating it out.

The project, which is being partially funded by the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RinC) program through Western Economic Diversification, started on January 25, 2010 and is expected to be completed by March 2011.

The Frank Kennedy Centre upgrade is extensive and designed to match the evolving needs of students, staff and local community members who use the facilities. Included in the refurbishment: the conversion of a gymnastics room to a multipurpose gym; conversion of a doubles squash court to circuit training for women and cultural groups that prefer privacy; conversion of a squash court to a spinning room; expansion of the climbing wall; construction of family change rooms; conversion of a recreation room to a hot yoga area; and the addition of two basketball hoops to Gold Gym.

Cost for the project is $726,649, with $240,000 being provided by the federal government through Western Economic Diversification’s RInC program.

“The Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management is extremely happy to receive this contribution, which will cover one third of our planned facility renovations,” said Dr. Jane Watkinson, Dean of Kinesiology and Recreation Management. “The renovations will provide us with space to better serve a range of individuals who are seeking active lifestyles. Students, staff and community members alike will benefit, and women and families in particular will have more comfortable spaces in which to be active.”

“I am pleased to see our Government invest in the Frank Kennedy Centre,” said Rod Bruinooge, MP for Winnipeg South and Chair of the Post Secondary Education Caucus. “This investment puts people to work and promotes an active lifestyle. Recreational facilities bring communities together and this centre will be a valuable resource for students, faculty and area residents.”

The project is expected to have far reaching financial implications for the Province of Manitoba as the investment in healthy lifestyles for the community will significantly help ease the burden on an over taxed health care system.

“This Recreation Infrastructure is going to allow us to continue to serve with excellence the multitude of recreational and lifestyle needs for our varied community members,” said Gary Thompson, Director of Active Living for Bison Sport and Active Living. “This is extremely important to the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management as we combine service delivery with teaching and research in our larger goal of having a positive impact on the health of Manitobans and citizens of the world. Sedentary lifestyles are an epidemic in developed countries and we can stimulate more effective lifestyle change with this funding.”

“The Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at the University of Manitoba is central to the health and well-being of our students and staff, as well as those in the community who come to campus to participate in our physical activity and recreation programming,” added University of Manitoba President and Vice-Chancellor David Barnard. “This renovation will ensure that we continue to provide the best possible service to all.”

Western Economic Diversification’s RInC program is an infrastructure fund that is investing $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. The initiative is designed to help renew, upgrade and expand recreational infrastructure in Canadian communities.

Comprised of four interrelated pillars ­– Academics, Research, Bison Sport and Bison Active Living – the U of M’s Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management is uniquely positioned to discover and disseminate knowledge related to physical activity, human movement, sport and leisure, while contributing to improved health, well-being and quality of life on both a local and global level.

For more information contact David Schmeichel, communications, Faculty of  Kinesiology and Recreation Management, 204-474-8629, schmeich@cc.umanitoba.ca.