UPEI thanks community for input re: high-performance training facility

“I am so appreciative to our community—both on and off campus—for their engagement and feedback,” says Tim Walker, Vice-President Administration and Finance.

As outlined in our January communication, UPEI is considering the creation of a high performance training facility at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre by redeploying 3,146 square feet of space from its current use as squash courts and “Studio One” (a flexible exercise space). Under the proposed business case, new and existing funding would cover both the renovation and annual operating costs. UPEI’s financial sustainability would not be negatively impacted by this proposal.

UPEI’s Campus Plan Update (dated January 2019) outlines that future development and investment should support an “Athletic Campus” zone and specifically notes a “High-Performance Training Centre” as part of the vision for UPEI’s Sports Centre. The current proposal for such a facility could support approximately 250 varsity and 200 club athletes by:

• Attracting new student-athletes in a competitive post-secondary/varsity sport market.
• Reducing the likelihood of student-athlete injuries and shorten recovery times should they occur.
• Allowing collaboration, training, and research opportunities for students and faculty in UPEI’s kinesiology (and likely other) programsEnhancing training opportunities for community stakeholders such as Sport PEI members and provincial sport organizations.
• Allowing for a formal relationship with the Canadian Sport Institute to support the development and high performance of PEI and UPEI athletes and coaches. (PEI is the only province without one.)

“We received almost 300 emails. I have met with representatives of UPEI Student Union, Squash PEI, and potential partners in the Faculty of Science to discuss arguments for and against the proposal. While almost 200 (or 66%) of emails were favourable, we recognize the strong support for the activities held in these spaces, most notably, the squash courts. The potential impacts to our campus— and broader—community are also important factors in our deliberations and discussions since the feedback period ended (on February 20, 2026).”

Walker is also aware of online petitions both for and against the current proposal.

“After careful consideration,” Walker continues, “UPEI will proceed to the next phase of project evaluation. A competitive process will be struck to determine whether the proposed facility is achievable within the funds available for purpose. This will be a final evaluation factor determining whether this project proceeds.”

Dr. Wendy Rodgers, UPEI’s President and Vice-Chancellor, is very appreciative for the meaningful engagement afforded the VPAF through this process. “These decisions are hard. We know that not every community member will see themselves in the conclusion reached. I can assure our UPEI community that this conclusion—and the process by which it was reached—is grounded in UPEI's mission and values. We’re excited to see where this new chapter takes us.”