The Graduate Student Society is pleased it is supporting the proposed $73-million sports and recreation complex at the University of Windsor.
Austin Roth spearheaded the campaign to get the graduate students to support the idea, which they have 457 to 290.
It's the 3rd of 3 student groups needed to go forward with the project, the UWSA and part time students approved the plan last year.
Roth says the next step is to bring in the university to go ahead with the projectto meet with administration, take it to the board of directors present them with the 3 yes votes from all 3 unions.
They'll start talking about putting it out to tender, getting contractors and surveyors to move forward from the architectural drawings.
Roth says the proposed facility will significantly enhance sports and recreation at the university: "we're going to have a brand new pool, a brand new 3 court gymnasium with seating for 2500, there'll be a new 16,000 sq foot addition to the current forge, there'll be 7 multi purpose sports places, food outlets, study areas. This will be the largest student project ever on campus"
Artist's concept of the proposed University of Windsor sports complex (image courtesy GSS Facebook page)
Roth says 75% of the cost of the project will be paid by the student population, $55-million, the other 25% or $18-million will be covered by main campus budget
Operating costs will be covered 100% by the university will be about a million dollars a year.
Roth says they've chosen a different model than at other universities and Windsor students won't start paying for the facility until it's completed.
In addition to all the other facilities, the new complex will include a Cricket pitch.