With a ceremonial slam dunk, Lambton College opened its $18.2 million Athletics and Fitness Complex Thursday.
The 40,000 square foot facility is designed to accommodate academic programming, varsity athletics, recreational and fitness programs and intramural leagues.
Lambton's VP of Finance and Administration Margaret Dragan said it has a 15,000 square foot double gymnasium with seating for over 1,200 fans.
(L to R) Lambton College President Judy Morris, Leo Rautins and VP of Finance and Administration Margaret Dragan.
"The facility has beautiful new change rooms, including varsity change rooms," said Dragan. "We can now hold tournaments here that are at the provincial level. The facility also has a beautiful 140 seat amphitheatre, a large 60 seat active learning classroom. This is just a beautiful space."
Dragan said the facility has been one of her dreams since starting her career with Lambton College over 20 years ago.
"The day I walked in I said to our president we need a new gym," she said. "You have to have patience and persistence to work in public service. 22 years later we have this amazing facility."
The facility also features a 6,000 square foot fitness centre, with top-of-the-line equipment, and a media booth set up for live game feeds on the second level.
"What a great facility," said guest speaker and Toronto Raptors broadcaster Leo Rautins.
Rautins talked about the benefits of participating in sports and highlighted his longtime friendship with Margaret Dragan and her husband as one of them.
"I got home from the Raptors game at 2 a.m. in the morning, and there's a reason why I got up at 6 a.m. to come here," he said. "It's my Sarnia family."
The ceremony also included video messages from track and field star Jillian Drouin of Corunna, figure skater Michael Marinaro of Sarnia and ice dancer Tessa Virtue of London.
Lambton College opened its new Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies in September, and construction of the new Nova Chemicals Health and Research Centre is expected to be complete by April 2019.
Lambton College opens its new Athletic & Fitness Complex with a ceremonial slam dunk! #SLont pic.twitter.com/pp5gA9XlTw
— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) October 18, 2018
Watch on #Periscope: Lambton College President Judy Morris opens their new 40,000 sq ft Athletics & Fitness Complex… https://t.co/N84qbmwn2w
— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) October 18, 2018
