Nipissing University Alumni Advisory Board donation to improve campus trails

North Bay, ON – The Nipissing University Alumni Advisory Board (NUAAB) recently announced a donation of $50,000 to upgrade the campus trail system and related facilities.

The donation will go toward improving the hiking and Nordic skiing trail system and implementing sustainable solutions to lengthen the cross-country ski season. The improvements will provide trail users with enhanced maintenance of the trails, an upgraded trailhead and advanced signage throughout the system. A portion of the donation has also gone toward the installation of solar powered lighting, a propane furnace and ventilation in the ski waxing trailer so that it can also function as a warming centre.

"The Nipissing University Alumni Advisory Board is pleased to be able to contribute funds towards the improvements of the campus trails at Nipissing University,” said NUAAB President, Lisa Snider. “The multi-use campus trails bring together current students, alumni and the North Bay community by providing the opportunity to get outside, be active and explore our beautiful surroundings. We hope that NUAAB's donation will support necessary enhancements and improvements that will allow current and future generations to enjoy the campus trails for years to come."

The trail system offers students and the community the opportunity to explore 20 kilometers of trails ranging in difficulty, including 5 km of groomed trails. The trail system is used for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and for training and events for Nipissing’s Nordic Ski Team.

“The donation has impacted the Nipissing Lakers Nordic Ski Team by lengthening our on-snow season. Significant work done on drainage and trail bed surfacing means that our varsity student-athletes can get on snow earlier in the season, and keep skiing later,” said Dr. Toivo Koivukoski, Associate Professor and Nordic Cross Country Ski Coach. “The campus trails give a decisive advantage to our Nipissing Lakers Nordic Ski Team and the upgrades will improve our future chances of winning bids to host ski races and events on the trails.”

NUAAB serves to represent the interests of alumni while supporting the overall advancement of the University. It provides support for alumni programs, communications, events, branch and chapter outreach, scholarships and other initiatives.

Maps of the campus trail system can be viewed here.

-30-

Contact:

Meghan Venasse
Manager, Communications
Nipissing University
705-474-3450 ext. 4615
meghanv@nipissingu.ca