Centre for Physical and Health Education grand opening

With a symbolic ribbon cutting last Friday, Nipissing’s Centre for Physical and Health Education officially opened, illuminating the many ways students and faculty are working to improve the health of our communities through the study of physical activity.

The centre combines research, teaching and physical activity to support a holistic approach to learning and healthy living. It represents a $7.5 million investment for studying and teaching human movement science, and for knowledge creation relevant to the societal, health and business challenges facing communities.

Community members and Nipissing employees were treated to guided tours of the centre’s state-of-the-art laboratories, discovering from the faculty and students themselves the amazing work that is being accomplished, from aiding stroke recovery and improving quality of life for chemotherapy patients, to the affects of extreme conditions on cardiovascular systems, lower back pain, and helping communities be more active.

Shane Petersen, a fourth-year student in the Bachelor of Physical and Health Education program, spoke enthusiastically about his experiences as a student at Nipissing.

“The past few years have been incredible,” he said “I’ve witnessed the opening of the new library and the Athletics Centre in 2011, and today, the grand opening of the new Centre for Physical and Health Education. These facilities provide students with amazing opportunities. With the state-of-the-art labs that exist here, my fellow students and I are able to participate in and conduct some amazing research into human movement and physical activity that has the very real potential of making people and communities more healthy, and able to enjoy a better quality of life.”

Nipissing president, Dr. Mike DeGagné, thanked the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, which provided $1 million, to the construction of the centre.