DBAC updating its indoor running track following damages from the construction of the Hub and renovations at Pulse Fitness Centre
Beginning Sept. 18, the indoor running track at the David Braley Athletic Centre is to be closed for renovations. Until renovations are complete, users should anticipate intermittent noise and disruptions to third-floor facility access.
The track features a four-lane, 200-metre running track and a 60-metre sprint area, commonly used for casual walks, jogging, and running.
In an email statement to the Silhouette, T. J. Kelly, manager of facilities and events at McMaster University, stated that the renovations will primarily focus on updating the track's surface alongside minor repairs such as drywall patching and a fresh coat of paint.
“The key reason for the refresh came following the construction of the Hub and renovation to the Pulse Fitness Centre as part of the student activity fitness expansion project, as some unexpected damage occurred to the indoor running track, despite efforts to protect the surface during construction,” stated Kelly.
The project, which began in the summer of 2018, had an estimated construction value of $42 million and included the construction of a new four-story student activity building known as The Hub and renovations to the existing DBAC Pulse Fitness Centre.
Kelly noted that sourcing replacement materials for the track was both difficult and expensive, as the current surface, installed when DBAC opened in 2006, was nearing the end of its lifespan after many years of service. "This was an opportunity for us to provide much-needed updates to the facility,” stated Kelly.
This was an opportunity for us to provide much-needed updates to the facility.
T.J. Kelly, Manager
Facilities and Events
Kelly stated that McMaster's Facility Services is coordinating with the project managers and contractors to minimize disruptions, although Kelly acknowledged potential short-term closures of certain areas outside of the track for safety reasons.
Currently, when the repairs will be completed has yet to be determined.
A former McMaster varsity athlete and once the men's athlete of the year, Keenan Jeppesen is set to become the new director of Athletics and Recreation
Come Sept. 23, Keenan Jeppesen is set to take the directors seat of the athletics and recreation department. Jeppesen, who is a familiar name within the McMaster community, has already demonstrated himself as a leader in his previous roles in Housing and Conference Services and Athletics, High Performance.
This transition from housing and conference services to athletics and recreation might seem like quite the shift, but Jeppesen was confident that it was the right choice.
"Housing touches so many parts of the institution around McMaster, so it was a great learning experience for me. Coming back to athletics and recreation, it is a different score but there's a lot of familiarity, whether its with the operations of the department or the staff," said Jeppesen
Born into an athletic family, Jeppesen was always determined to leave his mark on the sports world. Over the course of his career, he competed with the varsity basketball team at Brown University, where he was selected for the All-Ivy League Second-Team for the 2005-2006 season.
"I'm a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, so I've spent a good time in both countries. When I graduated high school, I got recruited to play college basketball at Brown University. I spent around three years there, then after graduating I returned to Canada," said Jeppesen
His return to athletics and recreation is particularly meaningful, as he is a former student-athlete at McMaster and won the male athlete of the year award in 2010.
"After a brief stint at Western, I came to McMaster to do my Masters in Business Administration where I also played on the varsity basketball team for a year. We had a pretty successful season, we were ranked third in the country, and personally I've had my best individual year. Unfortunately, the season came to an end prematurely due to my ACL tear," said Jeppesen
Jeppesen's previous personal experience and relationship with athletes over the years means that he will be entering office with expectations to achieve. He aims to communicate effectively with athletes to improve their experience in the school and the department.
"I was in their shoes, but I try not to make too many assumptions about others experiences even though I can relate. For example, a lot has changed since I was last working within the department, so I understand that things may not be the same compared to when I was around. So my objective is, as soon as I enter office, to consult with athletes, coaches and other staff to get their perspectives about various things such as their challenges, what they're excited about and what we can do better to improve their experience at the school," said Jeppesen
Jeppesen's return to athletics and recreation brings an experienced leader back to the department, after a few years spent in other sections of the university. With a varsity background and leadership experience embedded at McMaster, he is set to take office on Sep. 23 with a fresh perspective. While his path forward may present challenges, this leadership change could contribute to positive developments within the department.
A look into Mac student Puisand Lai's journey to competing for Canada at the 2024 Paralympics
A McMaster engineering student, and a rising star in the parasports scene, Puisand Lai is getting ready to compete for Canada in the 2024 Paralympic Games. Lai, who first began playing wheelchair basketball at the age of 13, has come a long way as a player for the women's national wheelchair basketball team.
Lai unexpectedly lost the ability to use her lower body when she was six years old and was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, which causes inflammation of the spinal cord. Despite this, when she was introduced to parasports, her gravitation to physical activity since childhood shined through.
Lai's mother encouraged her to try out wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis and sledge hockey. At one point, she was ranked number seven in the International Tennis Federation's World Rankings for girl's wheelchair tennis. In 2017, she was a member of the World Team Cup - the largest international team event in wheelchair tennis, featuring men's, women's, quad, and junior teams from around 50 countries.
Lai wrote in an article that she came to the realization that in order to advance to the next level of competition, she had to hone in on sport. With great difficulty, she decided to let go of tennis and devote herself entirely to wheelchair basketball because she was drawn to the sport's sense of friendship and teamwork. "If I wanted to get serious about playing at the next level, I had to really dial in on one sport," stated Lai.
At the age of seventeen, she became the youngest member of the Canadian Women's Wheelchair Basketball national team in 2018. She has since participated in other high-profile competitions, such as two world titles, two Parapan American Games, and the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, where Canada placed fifth. The team's goal is to place on the podium in Paris to claim their position as one of the best Paralympic teams, not having won a medal since 2004.
At the age of seventeen, she became the youngest member of the Canadian Women's Wheelchair Basketball national team in 2018. She has since participated in other high-profile competitions, such as two world titles, two Parapan American Games, and the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, where Canada placed fifth.
Lai has put in a lot of work and dedication to go to the Paralympic Games this year. After training in Quebec City with her colleagues in anticipation of the games, she expressed her excitement about the upcoming games and her confidence in the team’s potential. "I believe that every single one of us is really, really talented. We have the foundation to be a really great team," said Lai in an interview with the Canadian Paralympic Committee.
Lai attended McMaster University for a degree in mechanical engineering where she also excelled in athletics. After returning from Paris, she plans to complete her degree, but also to keep her options open, thinking about opportunities in engineering or picking up basketball again.
Lai attended McMaster University for a degree in mechanical engineering where she also excelled in athletics. After returning from Paris, she plans to complete her degree, but also to keep her options open, thinking about opportunities in engineering or picking up basketball again.
As she prepares to represent Canada abroad, Lai is an example of the power of mental determination. Her career is expected to soar to new heights with the Paralympic Games in Paris, beginning a new chapter in her amazing tale. In the end, her journey serves as a reminder that despite the obstacles we encounter, excellence is achievable with commitment and grit.
The wait is over – the newly renovated Pulse Fitness Centre will be fully open to students by January 2023
On Dec. 12, the McMaster community saw the long-awaited opening of the newly renovated Pulse Fitness Centre, located at David Braley Athletic Centre.
The centre has long been under renovation, the project having started in 2018. Over the last four years, Pulse members were directed to use the three new temporary gym spaces set up at Therese Quigley Sport Hall, the indoor track level in DBAC and pop-up Pulse locations.
With the soft opening of the new Pulse location, the temporary gym spaces on campus closed operations on the evening of Dec. 11. McMaster Athletics & Recreation will be converting Sport Hall back into a recreational space for intramurals, drop-in recreation and rental use.
The soft opening in December introduced several expanded and enhanced recreation features to Pulse members, including an expanded cardio level, an expanded first floor weight training section, a women’s only fitness area and new fitness studios.
A few additional features were made available to Pulse members following the official grand opening in January 2023, including a three-story climbing wall and three new third floor fitness studios. The new fitness studios are estimated to be open for fitness classes as of Jan. 9.
The McMaster Pulse Instagram has been posting updates on the unveiling, including testimonies from Pulse employees and gym members on what they’ve been enjoying most from the newly renovated fitness spaces.
While speaking to The Silhouette, Pulse trainer and third year undergraduate student Kadyn Kapitain discussed some of the most significant changes members should be excited for in the newly renovated Pulse.
“I think one huge change is the variety of equipment. We have different angles of chest press machines, which is just totally a new thing. There are machines that people have wanted that we didn't have before, like a Smith machine… And then there’s the space too. There's much more space, so no one has to wait for equipment really ever,” said Kapitain.
Kapitain also highlighted how the women’s only section at the new Pulse has been elevated to include both a walled-off area and a studio, which offers upgraded security and privacy compared to the previous curtained-off women’s only area in the temporary Pulse centre.
As seen on social media and from Kapitain’s comments, reactions to the new gym have been overwhelmingly positive from the Pulse community. Kapitain explained that the opening of the new fitness centre carries a lot of significance to its members and staff.
“I think fitness is such an important thing because it can feel like a de-stressor, but also... For me, and I’m sure other gym members, it's an identity thing. Athletics and fitness are a part of who I am. And so, I feel revived just being able to go to the gym and work out, or just being there with the community” said Kapitain.
Updates on the remaining/upcoming opening dates and hours of operation can be found at McMaster Athletics & Recreation. As this was only a “soft opening”, there will be more announcements to come.
