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QUEENS CENTRE TOUR: The countdown has moved from years, to months, to just days.
November 26, 2009
THE COUNTDOWN HAS MOVED FROM YEARS, TO MONTHS, TO JUST DAYS. NEXT TUESDAY THE DOORS TO THE NEW QUEEN'S CENTRE WILL OFFICIALLY SWING OPEN. IT'S A STATE OF THE ART FACILITY WHICH IS DESIGNED TO BE A HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR STUDENTS AND ATHLETES ALIKE. NEWSWATCH'S CHRIS HARVEY TOOK A TOUR OF THE NEW SPORTS AND LEISURE COMPLEX, AND HAS A PREVIEW OF WHAT TO EXPECT.
THE TILE AND CARPET WORK IS NEARLY COMPLETE, THE GYM EQUIPMENT IS ALL SET UP AND READY FOR A WORKOUT, AND THERE'S WATER IN THE POOL, WHICH IS TWICE THE SIZE OF THE OLD ONE.
THE 169 MILLION DOLLAR QUEEN'S CENTRE IS ALMOST READY TO OPEN ITS DOORS.
JACQUES SAUVE:
"AND HOPEFULLY EITHER TODAY OR TOMORROW WE WILL GET OUR PARTIAL OCCUPANCY FOR THE BUILDING WHICH PERMITS US TO USE THE BUILDING FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE."
WORKERS ARE STILL PUTTING ON THE FINISHING TOUCHES IN VARIOUS AREAS OF THE HUGE COMPLEX.
THE FOOD COURT IS READY TO START COOKING AND FURNITURE HAS ARRIVED FOR THE STUDENT COMMON AREAS.
ANDY NISHIMURA:
"SO A LOT OF THE LOUNGE SPACE WAS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR CLUBS AND FOR STUDENT GROUPS JUST TO COME IN AND RELAX, ESPECIALLY DURING STUDY SEASON."
THE CENTRE WILL BE A STUDENT HUB FOR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
BUT THE FOCUS IS ON ATHLETICS, WITH FIRST CLASS WORKOUT AREAS AND EQUIPMENT TO MATCH.
IT'S HOPED "THAT" WILL BE A MAJOR MAGNET TO ATTRACT EVEN MORE HIGH CALIBRE ATHLETES.
ANN BROWNE:
"IT'S BEEN SOMETHING FOR US THAT HAS BEEN DETRIMENTAL.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE RATINGS OF UNIVERSITIES THIS HAS BEEN ONE THING FOR QUEEN'S ALL THE WAY THROUGH, THAT THEY HAVE FAILED ON. AND WE CERTAINLY WON'T AFTER THIS OPENS NEXT TUESDAY."
CONSTRUCTION ON THE QUEEN'S CENTRE BEGAN THREE YEARS AGO.
THERE HAVE BEEN DELAYS WITH PHASE ONE...IT WAS TO OPEN IN SEPTEMBER...AND THE COST HAS RISEN FROM 135 MILLION TO 169 MILLION.
THE NEW CENTRE HAS
TWO MULTI USE GYMS THAT CAN BE DIVIDED BY A CURTAIN FOR MULTI EVENTS.
THE LOWER GYM WHICH SEATS NEARLY 2000 WILL BE USED FOR RECREATIONAL AND COMPETITIVE VARSITY SPORTS.
HERB STEACY:
"WHEN YOU SEE THE ARTWORK IN THE FLOOR, AND OUR NEW "Q" AND OUR NEW BRAND, IT'S A SPECTACULAR FACILITY TO LOOK AT.
LOTS OF OPEN AIR LOTS OF BRIGHT LIGHT."
WORKOUT ROOMS ALSO FEATURE VIEWS OF THE MAIN GYM.
AND THE AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT WILL MEAN SHORTER WAIT TIMES FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
HERB STEACY:
" WE NOW HAVE THE CAPACITY TO TAKE IN COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIPS.
SO IT'S A FABULOUS FACILITY UPSTAIRS."
ONE THING THAT'S NOT QUITE READY IS THE MAIN GYM.
THE FLOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED WHEN HEAVY RAIN GOT IN AND WARPED THE WOOD LAST AUGUST..
BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS READY TO GO.
STAFF WILL MOVE IN THIS WEEKEND AND STUDENTS WILL START ROLLING THROUGH THE DOORS ON TUESDAY DECEMBER 1ST.
CHRIS HARVEY, CKWS NEWSWATCH, KINGSTON.
TWO DOZEN HOMES WERE REMOVED FROM THE ONE BLOCK AREA WHERE THE QUEEN'S CENTRE NOW STANDS. NINE HERITAGE HOMES ON THE SITE WERE PRESERVED.
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