Media release: YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford to help run Mohawk College's David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre

HAMILTON (July 24, 2013) – A long-standing partnership between Mohawk College and the YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford will extend to the David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre this fall.

YMCA staff will oversee programming, customer service and membership services and work with a team of Mohawk staff and more than 100 students on work study placements at the centre.

“The YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford has a wealth of experience and a proven track record in operating first-class health and fitness centres throughout the region,” says Mohawk College President Rob MacIsaac. “We built the David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre to give our students the best fitness, intramural and varsity facilities of any college in Ontario. Our partnership with the YMCA will allow us to also deliver the best customer service and support to our students and members.”

“Mohawk College is a nationally renowned academic institution and a recognized community innovator and leader,” says Jim Commerford, President and CEO of the YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford. “Today’s announcement builds upon the long-standing relationship that the YMCA shares with Mohawk and reflects our mutually-shared goal to support the health and wellness needs of students, faculty and staff. The new David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre is a state-of-the-art facility and the YMCA looks forward to bringing our programs and services directly to the doorsteps of Mohawk.”

The 64,000 square foot David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre is scheduled to open Sept. 4 for all full-time students. Memberships will be available for part-time students, faculty and staff. The $35 million centre is the latest and largest addition in Mohawk’s ongoing Fennell Campus Renewal Project. The renewal project is earning high marks from students, with Mohawk ranking first overall in student satisfaction among all Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area colleges for third consecutive year.

Mohawk College serves more than 16,000 full-time and apprenticeship students and 40,000 continuing education registrants. Mohawk is recognized as a leader in health and technology education and is one of the largest apprenticeship trainers in Ontario.

As one of the largest charitable community service organizations in Canada, the YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford responds to critical social needs in the community and works to provide solutions. By nurturing the potential of children, youth and adults, the YMCA connects people to life-building opportunities, to each other and enhances their quality of life. We foster social responsibility and promote healthy living. The YMCA works collectively with community partners that share the YMCA’s determination in strengthening the foundations of community for all people.

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For more information, contact:

Jay Robb, Mohawk College Director of Communications, 905.575.1212 ext. 3965, jay.robb@mohawkcollege.ca

Lise Diebel, YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford Communications Specialist, Media Relations, 905.529.7102 ext. 5001, lise_diebel@ymca.ca