BY GREG STAMPER
Close your books, shut your laptops and put away your cellphones; it’s time for you to get active!
The Conestoga College recreation centre, located at the Doon campus, offers students a wide variety of exciting activities, not only providing them with an excellent approach to avoiding the dreaded freshmen 15, but, also with a great way to have fun with their friends during the busy school year.
“Physical exercise acts as a natural stress reliever for students while dealing with the pressures of school work,” said Paula Feddema, administrative co-ordinator of the rec centre.
Most of the services available to students are free of charge, with the only requirement being that you hand in a valid student card to the front desk staff.
The activities open to students vary on a day-to-day basis; however, the fitness centre, which is visited by the most students, is open every day of the week.
“I usually go there (the rec centre) three to five times a week and use the weight room. They have everything there that I need,” said Jordan Bajar, a first-year practical nursing student at the college.
Other popular activities include, but are not limited to, drop-in basketball and badminton, ping-pong, skating, shinny hockey, yoga, pilates, and Zumba classes.
Intramural sports such as ball hockey, indoor soccer, volleyball, ice hockey and dodge ball are also offered to students, although they require a team to be put together and submitted before a deadline date, as well as a team bond to be paid. Individuals can also sign up and will be put on a team.
“We have had an increase in students registering for all our fall intramural programs, which is great to see,” Feddema said.
Although many students are unaware, rec centre programs and activities are made possible because every full-time student at Conestoga College pays a recreation/athletics fee of $65.95 each semester.
Despite the fees, some students at the college do not participate in any of the activities, and are still OK with being charged.
“It’s not that much (the recreation fee) and that way if I did want to use it, it’s there,” said Matthew Kuntz, a second-year business administration student.
For more information on the rec centre or any of the services provided, drop by, visit the website at www.conestogac.on.ca/rec_centre, or call their information hotline at 519-748-3565.
