Under warm October skies, StFX students and community members, representatives from the StFX Alumni Association, key donors, StFX staff and faculty, and sports teams gathered outside the Amelia Saputo Centre for Healthy Living Oct. 18th to celebrate the grand opening of a facility that will welcome and support the healthy living needs of StFX and all residents in northeastern Nova Scotia.
A large crowd milled outside the building for the official ribbon cutting and for tours. A feeling of celebration was definitely in the air as many took to the podium to note the positive impacts the renovated complex, in the heart of campus, will have for students, faculty and staff, and members of the Antigonish area who use the facility on a daily basis.
“This centre is not just for today, but for generations to come,” Amelia Saputo, speaking of behalf of herself, husband Lino, and the entire Saputo family, said as she noted the family’s immense pride and joy to see this new hub for community health and wellness open.
The centre will be a place where dreams are nourished, healthy living supported, and community bonds strengthened.
“We are very proud to play a small part in something so important.”
As a family, she says they are deeply connected to StFX. When son Gio attended StFX, they were moved by the dedication, passion, and warmth they experienced from the StFX and the larger Antigonish community.
This facility will be a place where everyone feels welcome and supported “just like our family was.”
WHAT A DAY!
“What a day!” Dr. Andy Hakin, StFX President and Vice-Chancellor, said. “This is truly a fantastic day for our campus community and for families and residents living in surrounding communities.”
With close to $40 million in renovations, of which $30 million was fundraised, the complex now houses an expanded fitness centre three times its original size, updates to both the main and auxiliary gymnasiums, updates and expanded public locker rooms, additional multipurpose space, aquatic centre updates, an expanded sport medicine clinic, an addition of a sports performance training centre, renovations to the varsity locker rooms and extensive renovations to the sports stadium such as all new bleachers.
The Amelia Saputo Centre for Healthy Living will be the first building on campus entirely named after a woman. Construction started in 2017 with the renovation of Coach K Court and moved quickly to the stadium in preparation of the 2018 National Special Olympics. Although COVID slowed construction for a time, all renovations are now complete.
The Saputo family’s relationship with StFX dates back for a decade. Gio Saputo graduated from the StFX Gerald Schwartz School of Business in 2018. Lino Saputo received an honorary degree from StFX in 2018. The Saputo family’s gift to the centre totals $11 million.
Dr. Hakin said it is an exciting day for all of us, for the whole community as we celebrate the transformation of this facility, formerly the Oland Centre, into the Amelia Saputo Centre for Healthy Living.
Beyond the local schools and St. Martha’s Hospital, the former Oland Centre was the most used community facility in the town and county of Antigonish. With changing needs and to promote healthy living, he said StFX knew it needed to update to meet the demands of students and a growing community.
With an extensive renovation list, it wasn’t a project StFX could do alone.
“We needed help. And we got it.”
CELEBRATING KEY DONORS
Dr. Hakin invited the crowd to celebrate key donors, many on hand for the ceremony, who helped to make this dream a reality, including the Saputo family; former StFX Chancellor John and Adrienne Peacock; StFX students and the StFX Students’ Union; the StFX Alumni Association; Agnico Eagle; Mike and Beth Brien; and John and Ambrosia Caplice.
He also recognized the contributions of former StFX Advancement Vice President Murray Kyte, who was in the crowd for the ceremony.
Monica Foster, Vice-President of Finance and Administration, acted as emcee. She said it is incredibly gratifying to witness the transformation that the Amelia Saputo Centre will bring to the area.
Ms. Foster also thanked StFX Facilities Management for their integral work on the project, and gave a shoutout to the Athletic Department, which lived through disruptions while work was underway.
Central Nova MP and Minister of Housing, the Hon. Sean Fraser, said the opening of this facility is an incredible step to improve quality of life, and he is excited about the possibilities it will generate for years to come.
IMPORTANT SPACE
This is more than just a building, it is a testament to the combined efforts of many who made it happen, including StFX students, said StFX Students’ Union president Francisco Chang.
As students we know how vital it is to balance academics with physical and wellbeing, he said. “This space will help us.”
Home to the X-Women and X-Men, it is also a hub for intramurals, a place to relax and to take a needed breather. “Having spaces like this is really important.”
Human Kinetics Department Chair Dr. Charlene Weaving spoke on how the renovations have been a game changer for all those who use the building, from her department to community programs, as well as to the important fact that it is now an inclusive, accessible space. “It’s incredibly enhanced our ability to deliver our academic programs.”
