UNews - Sport and Recreation Services Department

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ excited to unveil Co-op Centre for Sport & Wellness through 25-year partnership

trevor.kenney — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 17:18:24 +0000

One of southern Alberta’s most utilized sporting and community hubs is getting a new name. Thanks to a monumental 25-year, $4.25 million partnership between South Country Co-op, Federated Co-op and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Centre for Sport & Wellness will now be known as the Co-op Centre for Sport & Wellness.

“This is one of the most significant community-based naming partnerships in our university’s history — a commitment that will strengthen wellness, recreation and sport for students and the entire southern Alberta community,” says ULethbridge Vice-President, External Relations, Kathy Greenwood. “Thank you to South Country Co-op and Federated Co-op, their leadership, employees and members for believing in our mission and in the potential of this centre.”

Opened in 2007 in celebration of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s 40th anniversary, the Co-op Centre for Sport & Wellness welcomes more than 500,000 people through its doors annually — from students and faculty to athletes, spectators and visitors from across the country. It has hosted provincial and national championships, provided a training ground for Pronghorn athletes and served as a community hub for wellness and recreation.

“Beyond the events and the numbers, this building has always been about people — students finding balance, children discovering sport, seniors accessing wellness programs and athletes chasing their dreams,” says Neil Langevin (BA/BEd '91, MEd '10), executive director, Athletics and Recreation Services. “This investment by South Country Co-op and Federated Co-op ensures that this facility remains vibrant, accessible and sustainable for the next 25 years. It is a partnership that reflects shared values of community, people and wellness.”

Far more than a new name and signage, the partnership allows the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to enhance and modernize the facility, its equipment and programming, ensuring students, athletes and community members have access to an optimum environment in which to learn, compete and grow.

“We see the Centre for Sport & Wellness as more than a fitness facility, rather it is a place where people come together and celebrate community, which echoes the values and purpose statement of South Country Co-op and Federated Co-op,” says Graham Getz, CEO. “This facility engages every generation, from children participating in sport camps to tournaments, conferences and events, to seniors taking fitness classes and everything in between, all in the name of health and wellness. We’re proud to be a part of that journey.”

In addition, thanks to the ULethbridge Board of Governors $10-million matching program, a portion of the funds will be matched, establishing an endowed scholarship in perpetuity. This creates opportunities for students to have access to critical financial support that carries the South Country Co-op name.

“The opportunity to contribute to student scholarships was a key consideration in this partnership,” adds Getz. “Our sponsorship is an investment in the future and by supporting students in their academic careers, we feel we are supporting student success and strengthening our community for future generations.”

Since 2007, the Centre for Sport & Wellness has served as a gathering place for many of the region’s most important games, tournaments and events. As the Co-op Centre for Sport & Wellness, it promises to play an even bigger role moving forward.

“This is a transformational gift that will benefit students, strengthen Pronghorn Athletics and elevate wellness in the community for years to come,” adds Langevin. “Thank you, South Country Co-op and Federated Co-op, for supporting our vision and showcasing the strength of community and the power of collaboration.”

U of L summer camps could take many forms

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 May 2020 19:04:20 +0000

Summer camps at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will go on — one way or another.

As the Government of Alberta begins to ease restrictions as part of its phased approach to reopening the province, summer day camps (with guidelines) are part of Phase 1 of the plan.

Whether in-person or not, the sumer camp experience is a vital engagement experience for southern Alberta youngsters.

“We are encouraged, and hopeful, with the Government of Alberta’s plan for the Phase 1 lifting of restrictions related to COVID-19 that includes summer day camps (with occupancy limits),” says Valerie Archibald, director of Youth Outreach at the U of L. “As such, we are keeping the majority of our summer programming schedule intact for the time being. Since early April, various U of L departments have been working collaboratively to come up with viable options to address the evolving environment surrounding COVID-19 and its effect on our summer programming – online and in-person (with restrictions).”

U of L teams are working on scenarios and activities that can be accommodated under current provincial guidelines, how to safely check campers both in and out of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, what facilities might be available and how to evolve the strategy should the province move into Phase 2 or 3 as the summer progresses.

“We will continue to monitor the Government of Alberta reopening schedule and guidelines as they evolve and are prepared to alter, adapt or cancel our summer camps as required,” says Archibald. “If your in-person summer camp is cancelled, all registrants will receive a full refund of their paid fees."

Meanwhile, U of L teams are working on the creation of a new initiative — a Mini U online camp for the summer — with registration details to come. Free for households, the program will provide a camp experience at home. Campers will be able to use at-home supplies or purchase full kits with all the supplies they need for an awesome week of learning and fun. They will have the opportunity to meet with other campers and instructors online to participate in hands-on, engaging activities. They will also be able to work at their own pace on various other projects provided throughout the week, all provided collaboratively by Destination Exploration, the U of L Art Gallery, the Conservatory of Music and Sport & Recreation Services.

“We know kids throughout southern Alberta love the U of L summer camp experience as much as we do and we are doing all we can to bring them the same engaging, enriching summer experience they’ve all come to expect,” says Archibald.

For continuing camp updates, visit the Community Programs web page.

Ken McInnes tabbed to lead Sport and Recreation Services for three-year term

trevor.kenney — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 17:45:24 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has added certainty and stability at the leadership level of Sport and Recreation Services (SRS), by naming Ken McInnes (BA’91, BMgt’97, Mgt Certificate ’02) as its executive director for the next three years.

McInnes, who was named interim executive director for SRS earlier this year, has been with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for over 25 years in a variety of leadership roles including Executive Director, Human Resources. The decision to cement McInnes’s role will allow him to fully implement recommendations from the recently completed review of Sport and Recreation Services programming, which focussed on a new sport delivery model. He will also continue to work with the SRS team to focus on strengthening recreational programs and services.

“Ken has done an exceptional job since assuming the SRS leadership earlier this year,” says Vice-President (Finance and Administration) Nancy Walker. “This appointment will ensure that meaningful and long-term relationships continue to be built between SRS and partners, stakeholders and supporters of our Pronghorn teams and those who use and enjoy our world-class facilities.”

In addition to being an experienced human resources leader, McInnes is a former Pronghorn Track and Field athlete who competed at the national level in shot put, discus and hammer throw. McInnes has an MBA from Royal Roads ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and is an alumnus of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge with undergraduate degrees in management and kinesiology.

“I am honoured that the U of L has put its trust in me to undertake this important role,” says McInnes. “Sport and recreation is an important link between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the broader community. I look forward to working with the exceptional SRS team and our passionate supporters to ensure ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ recreational programming and Pronghorn Athletics remain important to our students and the southern Alberta community.”

Dancing Through the Decades show

trevor.kenney — Wed, 12 May 2010 20:35:38 +0000

Parents and grandparents alike will flock to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge this week to take in the U of L elementary ballet program's Dancing Through the Decades show.

The show features children from the elementary ballet class instructed by Mary Falconer. A yearly offering through the Sport and Recreation Services Department, the program offers children the chance to learn the beauty of classical dance technique while they develop grace, posture, musicality and concentration. A creative focus is placed on developing self-expression and the teaching method is based on the standards of the Canadian Ballet Association.

The Dancing Through the Decades show runs Thursday, May 13 through Sunday, May 16 with performances Thursday and Friday evenings at 7 p.m., Saturday at noon and 3:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. All performances are in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre.

Tickets for the show are priced at $13.50 and are available at the Customer Service desk in the 1^st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness, or by calling 403-329-2706.

Elementary ballet classes are offered each calendar year and run from September through May. Ages three to 17 can participate with classes divided primarily by age.

For more information on elementary ballet or any other offerings by Sport and Recreation Services, follow this link.

UNews - Sport and Recreation Services Department

��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ excited to unveil Co-op Centre for Sport & Wellness through 25-year partnership

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