New Athletics and Recreation Centre will include golf, bowling, climbing

Algonquin College’s new Athletics and Recreation Centre, due for completion in 2021, remains on schedule.

Ground was broken on the ARC on April 9, 2019. The project is projected to cost the college about $49 million and will be more than 100,000 square feet when completed, according to the Students’ Association website.

The ARC will feature a wide variety of activities for students to enjoy including: a fitness zone with cardio equipment, free weights, stretching areas, fitness classes, a walking/running track, a golf simulator, bowling lanes, a rock-climbing wall and more, according to the SA website.

Here are some of the things you need to know.

“This facility will be included in your activity fee,” the Students’ Association website says. “All fee-paying students can use and participate in all activities in the building.”

The ARC will also include things such as a restaurant and lounge area, billiards and a massage therapy centre.

It’s located northeast of the Student Commons, opposite the residence.

The ARC is currently scheduled to be open for the fall semester of 2021, but that date could be delayed as the fight against COVID-19 continues.

The building, considered state of the art, is a welcome addition for many students, but not everyone is pleased with the location.

The ARC is being built on top of what is formerly half of parking lot eight, and that is drawing the ire of some students.

“I’m a little frustrated they took away so much parking for this,” said Kristina Roach, a student at Algonquin College.

“It’s a much longer walk to the building now, and yet we pay the same amount,” Roach said.

“They could have made the building with parking underneath like they do at Bayshore [shopping mall],” said Erik Vinokuroff, a graduate of Algonquin College. “I was so upset when I found out they weren’t going to be adding any parking.”

The new centre will be connected to the Student Commons by a pedestrian link.