Southern Cross University receives $3 m for sport and leisure facilities

Southern Cross University has received $3 million for sport and leisure centres at the Lismore and Coffs Harbour campuses.

The funding, part of the Federal Government’s Voluntary Students Unionism Transition Fund, includes $2 m for a Leisure Centre at the Lismore campus and $1 m for a Sports and Recreation Centre at the Coffs Harbour campus.

The Leisure Centre, to be developed in the Campus Central building at the Lismore campus, will include an aquatic centre, a student eatery and social hub for students and the community. It will also include a new health and fitness centre.

Southern Cross University Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Clark said the redeveloped facility would include performance, meeting and activity space for use by the students and the general community.

“This is a very welcome announcement and will further enhance the facilities we have for students on our Lismore campus,” Professor Clark said.

Professor Clark said the University had been working closely with student associations at its three campuses in Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Tweed Gold Coast to ensure services were maintained in the wake of VSU.

“This is a very positive step and will provide students and staff at the Lismore campus access to a range of sporting and leisure facilities. It also gives us the opportunity to make our facilities more attractive to members of the community,” he said.

The new Leisure Centre is expected to be opened during 2008.