The UNA is exploring potential outdoor fitness equipment solutions for the campus neighbourhoods. After receiving feedback from the public during recent community engagement initiatives, UNA staff presented a report on the matter for directors at their monthly meeting, which was held on June 23.
The UNA staff report includes fitness equipment ideas that address the community’s needs, as well as preliminary cost details.
Several reasons for pursuing the idea were identified in the report. Developing new outdoor recreation facilities has been cited as an option to address ongoing capacity issues at the UNA’s two recreation centres – Wesbrook Community Centre and the Old Barn Community Centre.
Additionally, recent discussions with a Wesbrook Place parent group identified a shortage of programming and dedicated outdoor play areas for teenagers and pre-teens. The staff report said there is currently “a sizeable gap” in both indoor programming and outdoor recreational infrastructure between the pre-teen/teen group and children aged 3 to 12 years old, whom the bulk of existing playground equipment is tailored to.
Two options being explored include centralized fitness hubs with equipment grouped together in high-density park locations in the campus neighbourhoods, and a decentralized option that would distribute equipment on existing walking trails and paths. No specific locations were identified in the report.
The report also suggests including a variety of equipment that reflects the demographics of the campus neighbourhoods, with bodyweight resistance machines for all ages, including residents with mobility challenges. For youth, multi-equipment obstacle and agility courses integrating low-level rock-climbing walls, bouldering units, and functional movement stations are being evaluated in early-stage planning.
Depending on the equipment chosen, early cost estimates for the project range from $305,000 to $525,000.
To push the project forward, UNA directors voted during the meeting to establish a working group to oversee the project. The group will work with UBC, UNA staff, and the UNA’s Land Use Advisory Committee on design and initiating engagement with the public.
Annual General Meeting Date Set
The UNA Board voted to hold their annual general meeting on September 29.
Annual general meetings are an opportunity for community members to learn about the UNA’s activities and its finances, including budgets and financial health. The meeting also provides an opportunity for residents to learn about how the UNA provides municipal-like services for residents of UBC’s residential neighbourhoods.
The meeting will be held at Wesbrook Community Centre, with proceedings beginning at 7 p.m.
UNA Marks 25th Anniversary
This year marks the UNA’s 25th anniversary, and directors were given an overview on how staff are preparing to mark the occasion.
Directors were told the UNA has created a commemorative logo to mark the milestone, and communications staff will be preparing a short video that will highlight the association’s history and key accomplishments over the past 25 years. The video will be played during the 2026 annual general meeting on September 29. A dedicated webpage on the UNA website will also be developed to act as a central hub for anniversary-related events and information.
EMMANUEL SAMOGLOU IS THE MANAGING EDITOR OF THE CAMPUS RESIDENT.