CAMPUS | COMMUNITY | CONNECTIONS
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Dr. Penelope IronstoneCatterall’s current research examines the cultural life of the H1N1 flu virus.
7ILFRID ,AURIER 5NIVERSITY s $ECEMBER
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Meet Sharon Brown, university librarian, bookworm and PhD student.
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A look inside the Maureen Forrester Legacy Collection.
Laurier reopens 50-metre swimming pool Major renovation project made possible through community partnerships The university celebrated the reopening of its 50-metre pool in November after completing a major five-month, $4.2-million renovation project. The pool renovations were made possible through generous donations from Laurier students, community users, the provincial and federal governments, and the cities of Waterloo and Kitchener. An official opening ceremony for elected representatives, community users, donor group representatives and the public was held last month. The event featured a ceremonial plunge by nine swimmers from Laurier and various community clubs. “The ceremonial plunge and official opening was a fun event where we as a community were able to celebrate the extension of the lifespan of the 50-metre pool for Waterloo Region,” said Ari Grossman, manager of communications and business operations for Athletics and Recreation. “We are excited to have a renewed aquatic facility for community and campus users to enjoy.” The key elements of the repair project included replacing the aging air-handling and de-humidification system and the curtain wall, repairing pressurerelief valves in the pool, and improving mechanical space and interior finishes, including the pool deck, walls, lighting, drains and equipment.
Next issue of February 2010
Photo: Mike Whitehouse
By Stacey Morrison
Nine swimmers from Laurier and local community clubs marked the reopening of the university’s 50-metre pool with a ceremonial plunge.
University staff help landscape townhouse complex for Habitat for Humanity Landscaping work completes four-year housing project By Mallory O’Brien A team of Laurier staff members volunteered to get down and dirty in November by working on the landscaping for a 19-unit townhouse complex for Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region. The charitable organization has been working on the project, located on Cherry Street in Kitchener, for four years. The group of volunteers from the university’s Alumni Relations, Development, Student Recruitment and Conference Services departments spent the afternoon moving and laying dirt, brick and sod. While they were feeling lots of aches and pains by the end of the day, it was for a good reason
— by avoiding the use of big machinery to do the job, Habitat for Humanity can keep housing costs lower. Roly Webster, acting director of Alumni Relations, spearheaded the initiative. He said the most rewarding part of the day was being able to work alongside one of the complex’s future inhabitants. “She was happy to be able to point out which townhouse would be hers,” he said. Now that the landscaping is done and the project is complete, each of the three-bedroom units will soon be home to families in need of affordable housing. “All of us in Alumni Relations and Development depend heavily on volunteers from our
Laurier staff members hard at work for Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region.
community,” said Webster. “So, we felt that we should give back and volunteer within our community.”
For more information about volunteer opportunities with Habitat for Humanity, visit www.habitat.ca.