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After almost three years of renovations
we’re finally, officially putting the lights on
the Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens.
With a hockey rink, a basketball court
and a weight room, many other things,
this new home of Ryerson athletics
and recreation will have something
for everyone.
Athletes won’t have to leave the neighbourhood
for practice for decades to come,
students will be able to walk here
after class to work out in the gym
and then see a game at Canada’s
most famous arena and even buy
a few groceries on the way home.
The school spirit, the school identity is growing.
From the first year I came here
if I would say I went to Ryerson
people are sort of hesitant to say it.
Now when I tell people I go to Ryerson
it’s a bit more - Wow, it’s an amazing school.
And I think from the first year
till now my fourth year,
going to my fourth year it’s probably
the biggest thing I notice for sure.
It’s just people’s reactions when you tell them
I'm at Ryerson and especially if
I say I play on the hockey team
the first thing is - Wow, you play at the Gardens
and I think that’s what everyone says
and I can’t really imagine what
it’s going to be like until that first game.
I consider the university and what
has been done and a project
like this to be really part
of nation building
and part of making a city great.
The building never comes alive
for me until the students are out there.
When they start skating my heart
begins to patter
cause that’s why we did this.
Our goal here is to make sure
sure this building is too small.
That it’s filled to the brim
with the hustle and the bustle of this community.
That the kids laughter, if they’re 5 years old,
6 years old, 7 years old,
they have a memory that’s cemented
and most importantly, of course,
that you all come back to cheer on
the Rams for another 70 years
(applause)