MOHAWK VARSITY FACILITY NAMED DAVID BRALEY ATHLETIC AND RECREATION CENTRE

HAMILTON, Ont. - More than 12,000 students will compete, train and exercise in the new David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre set to open this September at Mohawk College's Fennell Campus.

Senator David Braley this morning announced a $3 million donation to Mohawk's Fennell Campus renewal project. The donation is one of the largest in Mohawk's history and supports the college's largest ever renewal project. Mohawk is recognizing the donation by officially naming the newest addition to the Fennell Campus in Senator Braley's honour.

"The Honourable David Braley has made a very generous gift in support of a transformational project for current and future generations of Mohawk College students," said Mohawk President Rob MacIsaac. "The David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre is one of the cornerstones of our Fennell Campus renewal project and will be an integral part of an exceptional Mohawk experience for our students."

Scheduled to open this September, the 64,000 square foot David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre will feature three gymnasiums for varsity and intramural sports, an indoor running track, fitness centre and multi-purpose exercise studios. The two-storey centre will be home to Volleyball Canada's newest centre for excellence for training elite athletes and will host the 2014 Ontario women's basketball championships and the 2015 national men's basketball championships.

Launched in the summer of 2009, the Fennell Campus Renewal Project further enhances the quality of education and overall college experience for Mohawk students. Among the key additions to the campus has been the Cummings Library and Collaboratory, the relocation of Mohawk's School of Justice and Wellness Studies from Brantford, a one-stop centre for student services and 70,000 square feet of renovated classrooms, labs and common areas. By September 2013, more than $80 million will have been invested in Mohawk's largest campus.

Recognized as a leader in health and technology education, Mohawk College serves more than 16,500 full-time students and apprentices at campuses in Hamilton and Brantford. For the third consecutive year, students have ranked Mohawk as the number one college in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area for overall student satisfaction as well as first for quality of programs, services and facilities.

Source: Mohawk College