1st Choice Centre sees rise in usage

trevor.kenney — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:57:20 +0000

Southern Alberta is finding another reason to come to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge – the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport & Wellness.

Having now completed its second full year of operations, there is context to the facility's usage numbers and not surprisingly, they are on the rise.

"We expected it to be quite popular, however maybe not this popular," says Manager, Facilities & Services, Deb Marek. "We haven't really ever marketed the facility."

Despite ongoing construction, limited use over the summer months and repair work following severe flooding a year ago, the facility still saw a significant rise in visits over the past year. Even more noteworthy was the percentage ratio of community and student users, with about 45 per cent of total visits by members of the community.

"It's a given we'll have the students but to see that many community members coming in is very exciting," Marek says. "The facility was funded partially by the City of Lethbridge, so their expectation is that the community is going to use it and it's nice to see people are coming."

The increase in total member visits from the facility's first year is a healthy 7 per cent, much of that coming from community members, whose usage increased 14.9 per cent in the period from May 1, 2008 to Apr. 30, 2009. That increase is reflected in a substantial uptick in total memberships sold, an impressive 11.3 per cent.

The 1st Choice Savings Centre has also attracted some of the area's biggest events, both sporting and conventional. The 4A South Zone High School Basketball Championships have relocated to the U of L after years at the Enmax Centre, while the facility also welcomed the South Western Alberta Teachers' Convention Association this past spring.

"We're really excited to host some of the bigger events. It's very important to host community events and we found that a lot of the people coming in were seeing the facility for the first time," Marek says.

Looking ahead, the U of L will serve as host to both Alberta high school volleyball and basketball provincial tournaments in fall 2009 and spring 2010 respectively, an important showcase for potential students.

"That's our target market for future students," Marek says. "If we get the opportunity to show it to kids from right across the province, to show what programs we have and to show off our facilities, that's critical for their recruitment in the future."

Stadium will serve as athletic hub

trevor.kenney — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:47:25 +0000

A touchdown dance is in the offing and chances are it will be a crowded end zone the weekend of Sept. 25-26, when the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's new Sports Stadium Complex is officially, and finally, opened.

Plagued by multiple weather delays over the course of its two-year construction, user groups from throughout southern Alberta are understandably elated that the finish line, or goal line, is now within sight.

"This has been in the works for a lot of years and to finally stand here on a turf field is just spectacular," says Catholic Central High School football coach Mike Nightingale.
"It's going to be just amazing on those Friday nights when the lights are turned on; it will be a spectacular atmosphere."

The 2,000-seat, multi-use facility is the first of its kind in southern Alberta and a major addition to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's athletics program.

Having opened the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness in February 2007, the addition of another elite-level venue further raises the status of Pronghorn Athletics.

The new stadium also strengthens the relationship between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the southern Alberta community. High school football and minor football will be major tenants in the fall, while the new artificial surface opens the possibility for use by soccer and rugby groups. As well, most major track and field meets will utilize the facility and the introduction of a junior football program to the city remains a possibility now that a suitable venue is in place.

"I see it being used 24/7 for track, rugby, football, soccer, it's going to be an amazing thing," says Craig Brack, Wilson Middle School principal and a longtime figure in local football circles. "It's going to be great for fans to be able to come out and watch a game in the proper way. It's first-class all the way."

Bringing people to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is a key priority for the institution and the stadium will do just that.

"The partnerships between the city and the U of L are very strong in terms of providing quality facilities for both our athletes as well as community members," Manager, Facilities & Services, Deb Marek, says. "It brings people to campus who would not normally come to campus and that's critical for us. There's still that barrier with people coming across the river to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, it can be seen as intimidating, and the more we host these events and bring the community here the better."

The benefits for the community will be widespread but it will be most appreciable in what's available to the city's youth.

"I think you're going to see a lot of events gravitate towards this facility. It will open up a lot of opportunities for our kids," says Nightingale.

UNews - Manager, Facilities & Services

1st Choice Centre sees rise in usage

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Stadium will serve as athletic hub

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