Algonquin Students’ Association hosts ARC grand opening
Posted on Monday, April 4th, 2022
On April 4, the Algonquin Students’ Association (SA) welcomed College officials and elected officials to the grand opening of the the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC). The hybrid event invited attendees to an opening ceremony presentation, followed by a guided tour of the facility.
Named for SA General Manager Jack Doyle, the ARC is a 125,000 square foot, student-owned facility dedicated to health, wellness, and providing a space for generations committed to a healthy lifestyle. The facility features multiple gymnasiums for varsity home games, recreation, and events, rock-climbing and bouldering walls, a walking and running track, abundant fitness areas with new equipment, bowling lanes, a golf simulator and a new licensed restaurant.
Algonquin College President & CEO Claude Brulé was at the ceremony to officially open the ARC to the College community.
“This beautiful facility symbolizes the meaning of collaboration and partnership. I want to sincerely congratulate our Students’ Association, the many College departments involved, and our partners for completing this building during a global pandemic,” said Brulé. “You were met with challenges unlike any we have seen before. Through determination and a clear vision, you have produced a truly amazing, student-owned facility.”
Also in attendance were Martha Peak, Senior Manager, Athletics and Recreation, Ron McLester, Vice President, Truth, Reconciliation & Indigenization, Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa, Jeremy Roberts, MPP for Ottawa West—Nepean, and Emily Ferguson, President, Algonquin Students’ Association.
“The new ARC is a state-of-the-art recreational facility that will be an asset to Algonquin College and our city for decades to come,” said Watson. “The benefits of this space are twofold: it will encourage a healthy lifestyle amongst the College community while also attracting more students from out of town.”
Ferguson closed the ceremony by paying tribute to Jack Doyle, the ARC namesake.
“You have inspired hundreds of students through the years, encouraging us to find new heights to climb to and to set goals we couldn’t have imagined,” said Ferguson. “There is no one more deserving of having their name on this building.”
To learn more about the ARC, including membership, fitness and recreation, please visit this link.