Conestoga’s Athletics and Recreation team will host the college’s first Varsity Weekend September 30 to October 2. The event features four varsity home games and two volleyball matches between alumni and varsity teams.
“The weekend is all about celebrating Conestoga’s athletes,” said Matthew Maguire, Athletics and Recreation manager. “We recently rebranded the teams, brought back exhibition basketball and now have an incredible facility for our athletes and students to enjoy. We thought the timing was right to showcase our Condors - the majority of our 13 varsity teams began their season on the first day of classes and have already participated in about 30 games.”
Varsity Weekend has been coordinated so that students, alumni and other spectators can take in four home games throughout the weekend. Games kick off on Friday, September 30 when the women’s softball team takes on Fanshawe College. The men's rugby team will face off with Georgian College on Saturday, October 1 and the men’s and women’s soccer games are scheduled for Sunday, October 2.
There will also be two volleyball matches between alumni and varsity teams at the Recreation Centre on Saturday. Spectators are invited to cheer on the teams and take a tour of the facilities.
The Centre recently underwent a $16 million refurbishment that included upgrades to the existing gymnasium and the development of a 35,000 square foot fitness centre outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. The last phase of renovations is now complete and includes a transformation of the Centre’s ice rink, which was repurposed into a triple gymnasium with a four-lane running track overhead. The Centre also features new student lounge areas and the CSI Health and Wellness office, which offers massage therapy and chiropractic services. A Pita Pit is available on-site to provide students with healthy meal options.
The Recreation Centre also serves as a community resource with gymnasium and facility rentals available. Over the summer Conestoga partnered with Sports Camps Canada - the official operator of Nike Sports Camps in Canada - to offer a series of kids summer camps. Conestoga was one of the first Canadian operators of the camps and the only one located in the region.
“We’re really looking forward to opening our facilities, welcoming our alumni and showcasing our athletes,” added Maguire. “This is our first Varsity Weekend, but we hope it can become an annual event.”
Varsity Weekend activities are free and open to the public. Visit the event listing for a schedule of games.