Carleton students will vote in a referendum on Nov. 12 and 13 on whether to add $39 to the athletics fee to fund a fitness centre renovation.
Currently, students pay $119 in athletics fees per term. The additional cost, raising student athletics fees to $158 per term, would come into effect upon the new facility’s planned opening in fall 2028.
The department’s renovation plans would nearly triple the size of the fitness centre to 32,000 square feet, from the current 11,000 square feet.
The proposed two-storey fitness centre would include a women-only section and new workout equipment. The renovation would create four additional multi-purpose rooms for club and class use, healthy grab-and-go dining options and a new study and social space.
CUFit classes would be included in the additional fee, allowing all students to attend group workout classes like pilates, yoga and kickboxing without the current additional fee of $100 per semester.
A majority “yes” vote and a voter turnout of at least 15 per cent of the Carleton student body is required for the referendum to pass.
Students said the space expansion, women-only area and price point were their reasons for supporting the fee and voting “yes.”
Third-year Carleton student Nicole Rodriguez said she would enjoy a more spacious gym.
“At this point when I do go [to the gym], I end up leaving so many times because it just gets too full and I can’t work out,” she said.
“I think it’s a great idea,” added Alison Kavanagh, a third-year Carleton student. “Three times more room … that will motivate a lot more students to come use the facility.”
She said she’s also interested in the planned permanent women-only space and increased student job opportunities.
If the referendum passes, construction on the new facility is slated to begin in the spring of 2026. With the entire project estimated to cost $50 million, the additional $39 per term fee would continue indefinitely.
Students would not be able to opt out of paying the increased fee.
“What’s 39 [dollars] extra?” said fourth-year student Hanoo Hussain. “I don’t mind.”
First-year student Jojo Mumbili also said the price change would be “manageable.”
The idea to expand the fitness centre began in 2019, according to Yolana Junco, the university’s associate vice-president of recreation and athletics.
“In student satisfaction surveys … it was the main issue when answering, ‘What would you change outside of the classroom?’” Junco said. “[The answer] was ‘get a bigger gym.’”
Junco said she understands the debate on the additional price, but said the fee is centred around affordability and accessibility. However, she said the extra $39 would allow everyone to access the fitness centre and programs for “a very low fee.”
The positive impact from each students’ vote would exceed their time at Carleton, Junco said.
“You should care because … you put something forward for the future, for future students and the reputation of Carleton, that we should all care about,” she said.
Students will receive a ballot to vote through their school email on Nov. 12.
Featured image by Natasha Baldin.
