Many were sad to say goodbye to the old Varsity Stadium, with its grand legacy of Grey Cup glory, but the new facility has so much more to offer U of T students. Unlike the walled-in former stadium, which had a peak seating capacity of 27,000, the Varsity Centre’s 5000- seat grandstand leaves a wideopen west side view for passersby.
That visual accessibility reflects a new philosophy, too. It’s not just about elite athletes anymore—it’s place where all U of T students can find something to do. Whether it’s running on the state-of-the-art eight-lane track, enjoying a Varsity Blues game, playing intramural soccer under the dome in winter or just flipping open a laptop in the stands (which will be wireless in a few weeks)between classes, Varsity Centre’s definitely the biggest outdoor “student centre” on campus.
Grad student Blago Blagoev, Head Residence Advisor at Graduate House and intramural soccer player throughout his academic career at U of T, was blown away when the dome went up for the first time last January. “It’s been fantastic to play in the soccer league at the Varsity Field both in the winter indoor season and over the summer. The quality of the surface and everything else, from the lights to the washrooms, has been excellent. For these reasons, the field has been a big draw both for our long-term and short-term residents at Grad House. It has made us feel like we may be better players than we actually are. Thanks to the Varsity facility, we have managed to enjoy an active lifestyle, and I’m sure we’ll keep many great memories from our time at U of T.”
Waiting lists have been a big issue in intramural sports, which are enjoyed by over 9,000 students. Dozens of teams sit idly by each year, hoping for field time that often never materializes because U of T’s fields are packed to the limit. The dome promises to reduce that list dramatically, particularly for the soccer teams that represent 30 per cent of the current waiting list.
Another interesting wintertime feature is the golf driving range under the dome, which is free for students. But if golf and soccer aren’t your thing, you can still get away from the books at the nearby renovated arena, also part of Varsity Centre, which offers recreational skating and pick-up hockey.
This season, Varsity Centre is also filling our Varsity Blues teams with confidence and pride at their new home base. The stands were already put to the test during the first home Varsity Football game on Sept. 3, when students in the 3000-plus crowd got a taste of school spirit. “It was great to see so many students show up to support our football team,” said third year student Kristi Nattress. Physical education student Sarah Boyle agreed: “I had a great time catching up with friends in the stands and cheering on the football team.” The football team has high hopes this season and the filled stands should boost their confidence. After seven years of planning for this historic site to get its facelift, 2007- 08 should provide an interesting glimpse at sports and recreation for all students at U of T.
