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Loyalist and Community Celebrate Official Opening of Sports Dome

November 12, 2009

Below is the original news release published at the time of this event. While some references are no longer current, the article provides details about important milestones in Loyalist’s history.


Community partners gathered at the multi-purpose Sports Dome on November 4 for the official ribbon cutting ceremony. The ceremony included representatives of the main partners in the project: private owner/operator UnderAir Inc., and Belleville Youth Soccer supported by the City of Belleville and facilitated by Loyalist College. The local tennis community is also a supporter.

The air-supported insulated 330’x 118’x 36’ structure contains two separate playing areas, one turf field and two multi-purpose floors. The areas provide indoor, year-round playing surfaces for sports including soccer, tennis, rugby, touch football, ultimate Frisbee, basketball and volleyball.

The Dome construction is a result of an agreement with four key partners, UnderAir Inc., the Belleville Youth Soccer Group, the City of Belleville and Loyalist College. Loyalist’s role was to provide the Dome site and land use agreement, the Belleville Youth Soccer Group and the City of Belleville contributed to work site costs with the soccer group as a major Dome user. UnderAir Inc. is responsible for the capital costs and financing of the structure, the operating and management costs and for the facility and liability insurance.

“It was truly a remarkable feeling to stand inside the Dome at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Outside the Dome we were surrounded by darkness. Inside, there were young soccer players at one end and seasoned tennis players at the other,” said Loyalist President Maureen Piercy. “Loyalist is strongly committed to partnerships that benefit our students and communities. The Dome is another great example of what individuals and community groups can accomplish working together.”

Greg Gavin, UnderAir Inc. Facilities Manager, Sports Dome at Loyalist, said the Dome is definitely proving to be a facility for the community as a whole. “In addition to the soccer and tennis players we knew were eager to see the Dome open, we’ve had queries from others who would like to step in from the cold and continue their sports throughout the winter months. Golf professionals would like to provide lessons year round, and golfers are hoping for the opportunity to hit a few balls. The variety of sports and the age range of the people using the Dome is great. The community definitely seems eager to put their new facility to use.”

Those interested in renting the Dome facility please call (613) 969-9889.

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Media Contact: Marilyn Warren, Communications, Loyalist College (613) 969-1913, ext. 2332; e-mail: mwarren@loyalistc.on.ca


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