Save the MacEwan Squash Courts

It seems very sad that the university can't support squash courts . Dollars seem to be pressing this decision.

Please keep these courts open!

Keep the courts!!!

Do not close this facility please. In my opinion, these courts are the most accessible, highest quality and busy in the city.

There aren't too many courts in the city, I would hate to see it go.

Edmonton can't afford to lose anymore squash courts.

The decision to close the squash courts at MacEwan university is extremely short sighted and was not based on any valid consultation of impacted stakeholders nor comprehensive facility planning. It's a short term fix that will significantly impact hundreds of regular users of these first class facilities and leave just one downtown squash court after these courts have been closed. Please contact your political representatives and the university Board of Governors and the university administration asap like I and many others have before it's too late!

n

Macewan having the squash courts is awesome please dont.get rid of them

Edmonton squash players should not rely on universities and colleges to fund their squash needs! The Edmonton squash community should fund their own facility and pay the necessary fees to pay for their sport,,,the YMCA is awesome for squash, the garrison is also great and inexpensive, the royal Glendora is amazing so pay the fees and join! Edmonton squash players are known for not paying 12 months of the year for the club to survive, 6 months only during squash season wil make clubs fail and continue to slam the doors shut, come on squash communities pony up!

Variety is important in offering athletics at a university and squash should continue to be apart of that.

A shame to lose any more squash courts in Edmonton... will be limited in this city to 2 courts at Kinsmen, a handful at Riverbend Athletic club, and nevermind the prohibitive fees at Royal Glenora Club... DON'T let squash become an exclusive sport!

Such a shameful decision by a few people. I have been an avid squash player for over thirty years. Over those years, Edmonton has lost many squash clubs including Edmonton Squash Club, Hy's Centre Squash Club, Harley Squash Club, Centre Club, Body Quest and Mayfield Squash Club. Please don't add to the list.

[email protected]

Just a few years ago Forbes Magazine named squash as the #1 fitness activity. It's strong rating came from its intensity over a short period of time, the combination of aerobic & anaerobic elements, its accessibility and enjoyment. I'm guessing that the decision to close the squash courts at GMU is uninformed & poorly consulted. This almost sounds like the type of decision that takes in smaller communities, where one or two people move their own agenda forward. BTW.....I'm writing from little Moncton, NB, where we're having similar debates. We're trying to decide how many more new courts we should build at our facility.

I am very disappointed to learn about the decision to permanently close four squash courts in the Christenson Family Centre for Sport and Wellness. I, like many others, specifically joined the Grant MacEwan recreation facility to play squash. Surely there must be other less-utilized spaces in the center that could be accessed for the purposes being considered. If such spaces do not exist, then an alternative plan that includes reducing the number of courts to allow for a repurposing of half the space which would allow squash to continue. Daily access to the two remaining courts for squash purposes could also be reduced to allow the courts to also be utilized for other activities that do not require the require the remodeling of the space, e.g., spin classes, judo, yoga, etc.. If the courts are completely remodeled then squash becomes effectively dead at the college, to so some extent the surrounding area, making it difficult to ever resurrect the sport in the future given the expense to rebuild the courts. Unlike many other activities/sports that do not require such specific spaces in which they can be played, e.g., a walled court with specific dimensions, future participation of the game at the college and community level will be forever lost.

Repurposing the squash courts will negatively impact the many active squash players within the university and the many active squash players within with the broader community of Edmonton who have come to rely upon these courts. I was greatly disappointed to learn of this decision and I can only hope that it will be reconsidered and alternative solutions found.

Grant MacEwan Squash courts are well established in Edmonton. Several tournaments annually, Edmonton Squash League Interclub, Summer League, hundreds of players playing in these courts. Suffice to say, Squash is WELL established at Grant MacEwan. It would be very wise for MacEwan mgmt to revisit their decision to close the courts and come up alternatives to accommodate other activities in other areas of the Fitness Centre. Every problem has a solution --- I would encourage mgmt to keep looking. Please keep the squash courts open.

For the past several years, Spin Bikes have occupied Squash Court #4 at Grant MacEwan. This court is being utilized as nothing more than a glorified storage unit for spin bikes that are rarely used. And they call it a "SpinStudio ?? Spin bikes collecting dust, nothing more, and such a waste of space. On court #4 on any given day, especially the weekend, you'll hear the deafening sound of silence. Deafening would be an understatement. Shameful ! There are PLENTY of bikes, elipticals, treadmills, recumbents, rowing machines etc all fitted with TV's and iPod hookups for personal enjoyment over in the cardio/fitness area. For those interested in these activities, you have access to this equipment in an already designated area - Grant MacEwan spent over $300,000 just two years ago for your benefit. Yes, over $300,000 !! This is what this area was built for. Why impose on the squash courts???????? The decision to convert the courts into Yoga, Zumba, Pilates etc is myopic to say the least. Frankly, its as a result of incompetent management. These "activities" are merely phases/fads. They run course usually in a month or two and then done. Seen it all before. ANY of these activities can be done at home - in the living room, basement, or kitchen. Conversely, Grant MacEwan hosts 2 MAJOR squash tournaments during the season. They also host Edmonton Squash League Interclub matches Oct - Apr (hundreds of league games) not to mention the thousands of hours of squash training and recreational play throughout the year ! Suffice to say, ALL squash players in our region (and elsewhere) truly appreciate access to the courts and are thankful for a decent and affordable location to play our sport. The justification for keeping the courts open is not only well established, its a necessity!! These courts need to remain as their intended purpose - SQUASH. In actuality, Grant MacEwan should be giving serious consideration ADDING another 4 courts for a tota

Closing down MacEwan squash courts will be terrible !! Open more fitness classes on the pool deck or in the gym.