New Digs
TWU’s recreational facilities have come a long way since the days of the old “barnasium,” the converted Seal Kap barn that served the campus in the school’s first years. In 1969 came the David E. Enarson Gymnasium, the venue of countless graduation ceremonies, choir practices, and chapel services—and where the TWU Spartans have held court for 40 years. Among other memorable highlights, the “David E,” as it is affectionately known among TWU athletes, saw the Spartans women’s basketball team garner their first-ever Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) victory—a decisive 82-70 win over Lethbridge University—on November 5, 1999.
But come September 2009, TWU’s men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams will welcome the Spartan Faithful fans to brand new digs—and the Langley community into the Spartan fold—at the new Langley Events Centre.
The 2,000-seat triple gymnasium and sport facility, part of a development that includes a 3,500-seat ice arena and surrounding park area, represents a significant partnership between the Township of Langley, Langley Development Group, and TWU. “Every major city in the country is linked to or associated with a university,” says Blair Whitmarsh, Ph.D, dean of TWU’s School of Human Kinetics. “This partnership affirms TWU as being here for the Langley community and provides a facility in which we can train high-level athletes and help expand and enhance Spartan Athletics on behalf of the University.”
Since joining CIS in 1999, TWU’s Spartans have excelled: the men’s volleyball team medaled in four consecutive CIS National Championships, earning gold in 2006, the men’s soccer team earned a bronze and two silvers, in 2005, 2006, and 2008 respectively, and the women’s soccer team, national champs in 2004, hosted and won gold again on campus in the CIS National Championship last fall.
The opportunity to host indoor events, however, has posed a challenge. Until now. Thanks in part to the new facility, TWU won the bid to host the CIS Men’s Volleyball National Championships in 2010. “Spartan Athletics will have one of the best facilities in the country for CIS sports,” Whitmarsh says.
However, TWU’s Spartans will host more than just CIS games at the Langley Events Centre. Plans are underway to develop Spartan sports camps—offered during school breaks and through the summer to community kids of all age groups and skill levels—with athletes and coaches taking on leadership roles.
In addition, non-Spartan athletes will have access to the new facility along with increased recreational opportunities in the Enarson gym. “The overall student population benefits from more time for intramural sports and recreation,” says Scott Allen, Spartans men’s basketball coach. And the entire community will benefit from the multiplex. “The new facility will be for all people in Langley,” he says. “It’s something that brings all of us together.”
Spartans coaches and athletes are equally enthusiastic. “We’re excited about the new facility,” says Spartans women’s volleyball coach, Ryan Hofer. “It helps increase awareness of Spartan Athletics in Langley and provides family entertainment as well as positive role models in the community.”
Although the new location means a short commute for Spartans fans, TWU plans to provide a shuttle from campus on game days. “Our fans are great and our home game atmosphere is special,” says Kerby Court, coach of the Spartans women’s basketball. “We hope current and future Spartan Faithful fans take the enthusiasm we’ve been blessed with through the years in the David E. Enarson Gym and transplant it to the Langley Events Centre.”
by Wendy Delamont Lees
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