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 Trent University Celebrates Over $1.5 Million Raised to Date for Sport, Recreation & Wellness for All CampaignFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE $24,000 from Ronald McDonald House Charities and over$200,000 from Corporate Community among Gifts in Support of New Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre Celebrated at Summer Solstice Barbecue Event on June 21 Monday, June 21, 2010, Peterborough Trent University faculty, staff, students and alumni joined with volunteers, donors and community members to celebrate the official start of summer and the success to date of the Sport, Recreation & Wellness for All Campaign at the Athletics Campaign Summer Solstice barbecue at the University earlier today. Emceed by Trent professor emeritus and campaign co-chair Dr. Peter Adams and held at Trent University’s outdoor athletics stadium, the event featured the announcement and celebration of several key gifts to the campaign, including a $24,000 donation from Ronald McDonald House Charities to support individuals and children with special needs; and over $200,000 from the corporate community to invest in the future of Trent athletics. Combined with other gifts and investments, including a $1 million commitment from the City of Peterborough, over $1.57 million has been raised to date toward the Sport, Recreation & Wellness for All Campaign. The total fundraising goal for the campaign, which supports the renewal and expansion of the new Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre, is $4 million and is part of a $16 million Board of Governors-approved plan for new construction and refurbishment at the University. “By expanding and renewing our athletics facilities, Trent University will be able to offer the community and our students a full-spectrum indoor and outdoor athletics and recreation experience unparalleled anywhere in the region,” said Dianne Lister, vice president of External Relations and Advancement at Trent. “The opening of the new Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre in September will fulfill not only a commitment to our students but also the City of Peterborough’s vision for athletics and recreation. This modern, multi-sport centre of excellence will build Trent’s competitive edge and support cutting-edge recreational programming.” Ronald McDonald House Charities Donate $24,000 to Support Users with Special Needs Building on strong partnerships and existing programming with Five Counties Children’s Centre, Paralympics Ontario, Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association and Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Association, Trent will use the funds from RMHC’s Helping Hands Grant to purchase a number of sport wheelchairs to provide disabled athletes with more opportunities to participate in such sports as track racing and basketball and for easy access to the new special needs change room shower. A portable aquatic lift for the pool and new, state-of-the-art warm therapy pool, the only one of its kind in the region, will also be purchased with the RMHC gift. “On behalf of Ronald McDonald House Charities and McDonald’s Restaurants here in Peterborough, Terri and I take great pride in awarding this grant to the Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre,” said Jamie Campbell, owner and operator of McDonald’s Restaurants of Peterborough, Lindsay, Lakefield and Bancroft. “Since its inception in 1982, RMHC Canada has awarded over 2,300 grants totalling over $67 million to community charities across Canada. These grants have helped benefit thousands of children and families in more than 600 communities. This is the eighth such grant we have presented in Peterborough and the surrounding community over the past four years. These donations have totalled more than $101,500.” Corporate Community Invests over $200,000 in Future of Trent Athletics Through the generosity of the corporate community to date, and matching funds provided through the Ontario Trust for Student Support (OTSS) program, Trent’s goal to raise $200,000 towards AFAs has not only been met, but exceeded. The first AFAs will be awarded to incoming Trent student athletes with a record of strong academic achievement in the 2011/12 academic year. With an eye to assisting the local community, many of the awards created by the corporate donors are geared specifically towards providing assistance for athletes from Peterborough and area high schools. Several other donors were also recognized at the barbecue, including ARAMARK and Lazer Graphics. ARAMARK has contributed $50,000 towards the new facility. This gift includes in-kind donations of food and beverages for special campaign events, including all food for the June 21 barbecue, allowing all proceeds from the event to go towards the Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre. Lazer Graphics provided the design and printing of all campaign materials. As the only athletics and recreation facility in the growing north end of the City of Peterborough, the Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre will provide vital wellness services to all residents, including seniors and older adults, children, youth-at-risk, persons with disabilities, and the local workforce. Unique and innovative features of the new Centre, which opens 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. For more information about the campaign and the Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre, visit www.trentu.ca/athleticscampaign -30- For more information, please contact: |
