I agree this is a short sighted move.Squash at MacEwan has been growing in the past few years. Besides the increase in the number of teams playing out of MacEwan, we have had tournaments as well as an extremelly successful Summer League. For the past 2 summers there has been a waiting list for Summer League spots. This year a few members started a box league that has also been successful. It would truely be a travistiy for the Board of Governers to close this facility.
D
Dave Besuyen
12 years ago
The vision of the current Sport and Wellness management is short sighted and stifles fitness diversity rather than promoting it. Once the courts are 'renovated' they will be lost forever. Squash/racket sports require specialized infrastructure to be viable. A significant investment was made in the original development of the visionary facility and it would be truly tragic to discard it. The proposed use for this space, Yoga, Zumba and Spin group classes, do not require specialized infrastructure and therefore could more readily be developed in the future if deemed warranted. There are unlimited options in many other fitness facilities throughout the downtown area that offer the same group classes, personal training, studio and strength facilities. The racket facilities and courts are truly unique to MacEwan's facility in the downtown area and provide an excellent edge in marketing opportunities.
A
Aya Okamoto
12 years ago
Please save the courts at MacEwan
C
Clarke Wiebe
12 years ago
It's common sense to keep them open even JUST from a financial standpoint. Closing them down is poor management and shortsightedness.
P
Paul Olson
12 years ago
The administration decision-making ability should be questioned. They are going to close their Mill Woods campus at the end of April with no new buildings. Ripping out 3 squash courts is not a solution by their own admission. One of MacEwan's main advantages is smaller class sizes vs the U of A. How is their decision to consolidation going to impact that advantage?
D
Daylene Lauman
12 years ago
It is exceedingly disappointing that these courts may be closed. Many students out of Grant MacEwan have picked up squash as a sport of choice from having played while enrolled there. With so many courts in the city now closed, this closure will have a significant impact on the ability for the sport to stay alive in Edmonton; a community which is doing it's best to keep the sport alive. Squash players and students alike have greatly appreciated having such a central, affordable place to play and this will be a terrible blow to those who rely on these two factors to stay in the sport. Hoping this decision is not yet final and that with enough voices, the decision can be reversed....
J
Joel Rothwell
12 years ago
It would be extremely unfortunate to see the courts closed.
L
Larry Morrison
12 years ago
Squash is a sport for life and helps build communities. A university should have squash courts - the vast majority of universities have squash courts. This is a step backwards in MacEwan's development as an institution of higher learning.
T
Teresa Looy
12 years ago
MacEwan courts are some of the nicest (bar Royal Glenora, perhaps) that I've ever played on! At my current (much larger) university, the courts are decades old and as non-standard as they come and I am green with envy.
T
Teresa Looy
12 years ago
I have been a patron and/or employee of MacEwan since I was five years old. There are some great programs happening, but the decision-making process has always been a frustration. It was PROMISED that the courts would remain open, that MacEwan was committed to them, and now that promise has been reneged upon. I am extremely disappointed in the sport and wellness center. Squash is a sport which is picking up momentum in Edmonton, and is (or should be) an affordable sport for all ages, young, middle aged, and old alike. If MacEwan is truly committed to the community, and to the health of its patrons, I am confused as to why they would shut down one of the most intense and healthy forms of exercise available! Utilization of the courts is high, year-round. Squash programming has in recent years vastly grown the number of students and community members who have gotten involved in squash at MacEwan. But most importantly, the closing of these courts will have a huge and negative impact on squash culture in Edmonton. MacEwan is currently the most physically and financially accessible club offering squash courts; it holds a unique place in the Edmonton squash community. What is left without MacEwan is Riverbend (more expensive), Royal Glenora (prohibitively expensive for almost all), the UofA (mostly non-standard court sizes and for students), and the YMCA (south side, again more expensive). MacEwan would do well to look at their place in the bigger picture of Edmonton squash, as well as health and fitness, and make decisions that benefit ALL. The fitness center is busy, sure. But so are the squash courts. Why does fitness take priority? This cannot be a business decision, because students all already pay fitness fees and this will not bring in more student fees; and squash brings in many outside members of the community who might not have known about MacEwan without it! Please, MacEwan, consider the impact you can have on the community by continuing to offer and promote squ
J
Jeff Williams
12 years ago
What impact is another spin studio and a yoga/pilates studio going to have in Edmonton? How will the Edmonton Squash Community be impacted if the MacEwan University squash courts are removed? It would be catastrophic. Please save the courts!
D
Dave Benterud
12 years ago
Why would you close squash courts in a city where we have 6 months of winter every year???
T
Tom Trottier
12 years ago
The basements of Edmonton are littered with dusty stationary bikes.
E
evita mcconnell
12 years ago
Squash is a wonderful way to get fit and ignite the spirit. a sport for life. with great physical and social benefits. Please save the courts!
J
Joseph Mann
12 years ago
squash builds communities, stationary bikes not so much
B
brooke rothwell
12 years ago
Edmonton cannot afford to lose any more squash courts!!
A
Amber Petersen
12 years ago
Beautfiul courts, it woukd be a total waste to not able to use them. it would be devastating to the squash community!
S
Sumayr Sekhon
12 years ago
MacEwan needs to make a commitment to the survival of the game.
J
Jon Charpentier
12 years ago
Any public recreation facility is crucial for the community Fundraise, or whatever it takes, just keep them around..
I agree this is a short sighted move.Squash at MacEwan has been growing in the past few years. Besides the increase in the number of teams playing out of MacEwan, we have had tournaments as well as an extremelly successful Summer League. For the past 2 summers there has been a waiting list for Summer League spots. This year a few members started a box league that has also been successful. It would truely be a travistiy for the Board of Governers to close this facility.
The vision of the current Sport and Wellness management is short sighted and stifles fitness diversity rather than promoting it. Once the courts are 'renovated' they will be lost forever. Squash/racket sports require specialized infrastructure to be viable. A significant investment was made in the original development of the visionary facility and it would be truly tragic to discard it. The proposed use for this space, Yoga, Zumba and Spin group classes, do not require specialized infrastructure and therefore could more readily be developed in the future if deemed warranted. There are unlimited options in many other fitness facilities throughout the downtown area that offer the same group classes, personal training, studio and strength facilities. The racket facilities and courts are truly unique to MacEwan's facility in the downtown area and provide an excellent edge in marketing opportunities.
Please save the courts at MacEwan
It's common sense to keep them open even JUST from a financial standpoint. Closing them down is poor management and shortsightedness.
The administration decision-making ability should be questioned. They are going to close their Mill Woods campus at the end of April with no new buildings. Ripping out 3 squash courts is not a solution by their own admission. One of MacEwan's main advantages is smaller class sizes vs the U of A. How is their decision to consolidation going to impact that advantage?
It is exceedingly disappointing that these courts may be closed. Many students out of Grant MacEwan have picked up squash as a sport of choice from having played while enrolled there. With so many courts in the city now closed, this closure will have a significant impact on the ability for the sport to stay alive in Edmonton; a community which is doing it's best to keep the sport alive. Squash players and students alike have greatly appreciated having such a central, affordable place to play and this will be a terrible blow to those who rely on these two factors to stay in the sport. Hoping this decision is not yet final and that with enough voices, the decision can be reversed....
It would be extremely unfortunate to see the courts closed.
Squash is a sport for life and helps build communities. A university should have squash courts - the vast majority of universities have squash courts. This is a step backwards in MacEwan's development as an institution of higher learning.
MacEwan courts are some of the nicest (bar Royal Glenora, perhaps) that I've ever played on! At my current (much larger) university, the courts are decades old and as non-standard as they come and I am green with envy.
I have been a patron and/or employee of MacEwan since I was five years old. There are some great programs happening, but the decision-making process has always been a frustration. It was PROMISED that the courts would remain open, that MacEwan was committed to them, and now that promise has been reneged upon. I am extremely disappointed in the sport and wellness center. Squash is a sport which is picking up momentum in Edmonton, and is (or should be) an affordable sport for all ages, young, middle aged, and old alike. If MacEwan is truly committed to the community, and to the health of its patrons, I am confused as to why they would shut down one of the most intense and healthy forms of exercise available! Utilization of the courts is high, year-round. Squash programming has in recent years vastly grown the number of students and community members who have gotten involved in squash at MacEwan. But most importantly, the closing of these courts will have a huge and negative impact on squash culture in Edmonton. MacEwan is currently the most physically and financially accessible club offering squash courts; it holds a unique place in the Edmonton squash community. What is left without MacEwan is Riverbend (more expensive), Royal Glenora (prohibitively expensive for almost all), the UofA (mostly non-standard court sizes and for students), and the YMCA (south side, again more expensive). MacEwan would do well to look at their place in the bigger picture of Edmonton squash, as well as health and fitness, and make decisions that benefit ALL. The fitness center is busy, sure. But so are the squash courts. Why does fitness take priority? This cannot be a business decision, because students all already pay fitness fees and this will not bring in more student fees; and squash brings in many outside members of the community who might not have known about MacEwan without it! Please, MacEwan, consider the impact you can have on the community by continuing to offer and promote squ
What impact is another spin studio and a yoga/pilates studio going to have in Edmonton? How will the Edmonton Squash Community be impacted if the MacEwan University squash courts are removed? It would be catastrophic. Please save the courts!
Why would you close squash courts in a city where we have 6 months of winter every year???
The basements of Edmonton are littered with dusty stationary bikes.
Squash is a wonderful way to get fit and ignite the spirit. a sport for life. with great physical and social benefits. Please save the courts!
squash builds communities, stationary bikes not so much
Edmonton cannot afford to lose any more squash courts!!
Beautfiul courts, it woukd be a total waste to not able to use them. it would be devastating to the squash community!
MacEwan needs to make a commitment to the survival of the game.
Any public recreation facility is crucial for the community Fundraise, or whatever it takes, just keep them around..
keep these courts alive!