Gerard Hayes said, once completed in the Fall of 2015, the renovated athletic facilities at George Brown's Casa Loma Campus will be nothing short of

"Students have asked for a modern facility – and that's exactly what they will get," said Hayes, Director of Student Experience at George Brown. "It'll be an unbelievable improvement over what we have now and a great thing for students."

Hayes said the College has approved plans for a $5-million re-structuring of the antiquated facilities – and students will need a bit of patience.

On October 24

Plans call for a BBQ party at Casa Loma on October 27 to celebrate the closure of the facilities dating back to the 70s – and the construction of a revitalized facility.

"It's short term pain for long term gain," said Hayes. "These are student athletic fees at work leading to a full size gym, similar to the one at St. James Campus, enlarged change/dressing rooms, workout facilities and an athletic therapy clinic."

Hayes said the College has set aside Room C316 to temporarily accommodate weight and fitness rooms until the renovations are complete.

"The place is being gutted and re-built with expanded space," said Hayes. "Extramural activities will be re-scheduled to the St. James gym and time allotted. The only thing we can't replace, until the project is complete, is the gym."

Ed Mark, Manager of Athletics and Recreation, said students will have something special when the facilities open.

"The plans that we have are exciting and welcoming for all students," said Ed Mark, Manager of Athletics and Recreation. "We have more studio space for classes and additional change rooms so we can host more events. My favorite aspect of the design is that our new fitness centre will be at the mezzanine level overlooking the gymnasium so it feels like you're in the hub of all the activity."

What started as a series of thoughts and ideas will now become a reality as plans, drawings and feasibility studies have been reviewed and finalized.

Hayes said the funds have been collected and the project has the backing of George Brown students and the administration.

The gymnasium, one of the oldest at an educational institution in the Greater Toronto Area, will be replaced by a facility that will accommodate varsity competition in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association. - DG