KPE celebrates Goldring Centre donors & volunteers, salutes U of T Olympians & Paralympians

Goldring donor Sharon Guinness is flanked by U of T head swim coach Byron MacDonald and U of T Olympian Rosie MacLennan
09/12/2016

On December 1 the University of Toronto Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education celebrated the donors and volunteers who made the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport possible, and saluted the building’s primary beneficiaries, U of T Olympians and Paralympians.

On December 1 in the presence of many distinguished guests, the University of Toronto Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education celebrated the donors and volunteers who made the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport possible, and saluted the building’s primary beneficiaries, U of T Olympians and Paralympians.

Welcoming guests in the Kimel Family Field House, Professor Ira Jacobs, KPE dean, called Goldring Centre an architectural jewel. Designed by Patkau and Associates and MJM Architects, and built by EllisDon, the complex opened in 2014 and immediately started receiving awards and accolades for its unique design, innovative engineering, multiple usage and seamless fit within the community.

“These awards are a tremendous honour for U of T, our Faculty, the architectural firms and builders, and you - the benefactors of the building,” said Jacobs.

“Thanks to you, U of T students of all interests and abilities can now work out and train side by side in a state-of-the-art fitness, strength and conditioning centre. The spectacular 2,000 seat Kimel Family Field House is host not only to Varsity Blues games and practices, but to some of the most exciting events happening in our city, from the Bell NBA All Star Challenge to Midnight Madness Basketball. And, sport medicine specialists, exercise scientists, coaches and trainers have labs and offices in which to share ideas, test theories and translate breakthroughs that will further advance the care, training and coaching of our students and athletes.”

Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and member of the Legislative Assembly for the riding of Burlington, Eleanor McMahon said she was proud of the provincial government’s contribution to the project, and thrilled that it will serve so many people for so many years to come.

“Sport and recreation facilities like this one play such a vital role in our communities. Whether you are a high-performance athlete determined to make it to the Olympics or a family that wants to spend a day together at a community facility, having a top-quality place that is safe and inclusive can make all the difference,” said McMahon.

She acknowledged U of T athletes, coaches, staff, students and alumni who have represented Canada at the Olympic Games over the years.

“The achievements of our top athletic talents, like Olympic medalists Rosie [MacLennan] and Kylie [Masse], remind us how important it is to support and encourage those who dedicate themselves to sport and strive for greatness.”

U of T’s Vice-President of Advancement, David Palmer, said U of T has had a reputation for high-level athletic achievement ever since 1900 when first Canadian-born Olympic champion and U of T alum George Orton won Gold in the 2500m Steeplechase and Bronze in the 400m Hurdles in Paris.

“Following in Orton’s footsteps, hundreds of U of T students have gone on to participate in the Olympics and Paralympics as athletes, coaches, trainers and health professionals,” said Palmer.

Emphasizing the importance of the Goldring Centre for high performance athletics and research, Palmer also spoke of the facility’s value to the broader U of T community. Calling the creation of the Goldring Centre a family-centred mission, Palmer thanked the major donors to the centre, the Goldring, Stollery and Kimel families.

Chair of the Goldring Centre Campaign, Patrick O’Hanlen, thanked the many individuals, families and corporations whose generosity and commitment, combined with a $22.5 million contribution by the Province of Ontario, enabled the Goldring Centre Campaign to raise almost all of the $58 million required for the capital funding.

“On behalf of the Campaign Advisory Committee, I am grateful for the commitment to this project that has come from so many donors, staff and more than 100 volunteers. I am very proud of our committee and the incredible effort they have made since the campaign began in 2006. Congratulations to each of you and I hope you feel pride in the role you have played in creating this magnificent facility - one that is being enjoyed now and will be decades to come.”

U of T graduate student in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education and Canada’s double-gold medalist in trampoline, Rosie MacLennan first got involved with the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport in 2012 when it was still just a hole in the ground and she was training for the Olympic Games in London. Together with her 2008 Beijing Olympic teammate and friend Sarah Gairdner, she hosted an event to raise funds for the building.

“Back then it was hard to picture what the Goldring Centre would look or feel like, but I can truly say it’s better than we could have imagined and I’m so glad I can say I helped get it there. Over many years of being a competitive athlete, I have competed in many different sport facilities across the country and the world. I can genuinely say that the Goldring Centre stands out as one of the top facilities in the nation and the world.”

MacLennan added that in many ways a building like Goldring Centre represents a home for student athletes – or maybe a dream home.

“A place where someone with aspirations of competing at the highest level in their sport, can get every resource and support they need to excel – without leaving the country or even province to get it,” she said.

In his closing remarks, Dean Jacobs presented KPE’s Executive Director of Advancement, Robin Campbell, and Chief Administrative Officer, Rosanne Lopers-Sweetman, with a special recognition for their vision and dedication to the Goldring Centre project.

Following the speeches, guests were invited to meet and take pictures with the U of T Olympians and Paralympians in attendance.