Trent alumnus Greg Piasetzki '72 and his wife, Laura Woods, have generously donated $50,000, the second largest gift from an alumnus to the University’s Sport, Recreation & Wellness for All Campaign, to support the Varsity Team Change Room in the new Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre (TCSRC).

The gift officially puts the Alumni Division of the campaign over its fundraising goal.
Since the campaign started, alumni have raised over $1.4 million – 37 per cent of the campaign total to date.

“Even though Trent has a relatively small varsity program, the generosity of our alumni to this campaign speaks to how athletics has been a key part of their Trent experience,” says Dr. Tom Phillips, co-chair of the Alumni Division with honorary alumna Carol Love. “The new Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre builds on that tradition and provides a beautiful facility that will benefit current students, alumni, and the community for years to come."

Mr. Piasetzki attended Trent from September 1972 to June 1976 and graduated with an Honours B.Sc. in Chemistry. During his time as a student, he was a member of the men’s varsity rugby team. After Trent, he completed a year of graduate work in Chemistry at Queen’s before attending law school. Mr. Piasetzki has worked as an intellectual property lawyer in Toronto since his call to the bar, first as a partner in the largest patent firm in the city, and then, for the last 15 years, in his own firm. He and his wife Laura have three children and have also funded an award in Chemistry and Forensic Science at Trent.

Remarking on why he and his wife chose to support Trent Athletics in this way, Mr. Piasetzki says, “I have an attachment to Trent Athletics. I remember the days when there was no athletic building and the sports facilities consisted of a grass field, a small building with two change rooms and a pass to the downtown YMCA. To me a fitness facility is at the top of the list of university amenities – good for body and soul, whether competing at the varsity level, house league, or just working out and socializing.”

The Excalibur Varsity Team Change Room is a key addition to the new Athletics Centre at Trent, enabling the University’s varsity teams to better prepare for competition, while providing a more professional atmosphere for players. The room is equipped with seating for 25 players, a whiteboard, lockers, accessible washrooms and showers and a small taping/physiotherapy area. AV-equipped, it also has direct access to the gymnasium and hallway leading to the outdoor stadium.

“As competition at the university level continues to elevate, it is our job to provide the best possible coaching, training, atmosphere and facilities to athletes representing Trent. The new change room is a key piece of this,” says Bill Byrick, director of Athletics at Trent. “On behalf of Trent Athletics, we thank Greg and Laura for their generous and important gift.”

Sport, Recreation & Wellness Campaign Update
The $4 million Sport, Recreation & Wellness for All Campaign was launched in October 2009 to support the renewal and expansion of athletics and recreation facilities at Trent. A special campaign wrap-up and donor recognition event is planned for May 12, 2011. This free, public event will feature live music, exhibition soccer and lacrosse games, giveaways, a fireworks display and more. Another Trent alumnus, Justin Chiu, will also be honoured for his $1 million gift to the campaign to name the stadium. To learn more about the campaign or to make a donation, please contact the Advancement Office at (705) 748-1011 ext.7955 or visit the website at www.trentu.ca/athleticscampaign

About the Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre
As the only fitness and recreation facility in the growing north end of the City of Peterborough, the Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre provides vital wellness services to all residents. Unique and innovative features of the new Athletics Centre, which opened in September 2010, include: North America’s most advanced indoor combination rowing/paddling tank, an indoor climbing wall, 12,000 sq. ft. cardio loft and weight room, warm therapy pool, expanded therapy clinic, and a complete makeover of the pool. Community memberships are available. Visit www.trentu.ca/athletics for details.