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The new OUSA Recreation Centre is set to open in some capacity on Monday this week following upgrades that “will bring the centre into the 21st century.” Previously known as OUSA Clubs and Societies, the Centre was “well overdue for a bit of TLC,” says OUSA General Manager Darel Hall.

The two million dollar renovations are “based on feedback from students and clubs about what they want from the centre.” The centre will continue to be home to the numerous recreational activities offered by OUSA, as well as a meeting place for the association’s clubs and societies.

The new centre aims to increase space, flow and facilities offered by OUSA, as well as improve sustainability. The centre should allow OUSA to increase income streams in order to reduce dependency on income from the University.

The improvements include health and safety upgrades as required by law, and changes which “will increase the usability of the Recreation Centre,” according to Hall. The updated meeting spaces will cater to the needs of clubs, including rooms that can be split up to house more than one meeting. The popular dance studios will remain, whilst a gaming room has been put in place for the likes of E-sports.

The centre was due to open in time for O-Week, but Hall says “we were always pushed for time.” Clubs Day during O-Week was held in the Union Hall and MCR instead of the Recreation Centre, which Hall says “was a silver lining.” He said “it worked really well [and] the University are positive about repeating the experience.”

Additional changes to clubs development will occur this year, with a functional upgrade which will see the employment of two Clubs Development Officers (CDOs), up from the one employed previously. This will “allow for a more clubs-focused system with potential for innovations for club support,” says OUSA CDO George McLenaghen. At this stage, one CDO will solely focus on directing clubs and supporting them, whilst the second will be involved with managing events such as Uni Games and the Blues and Golds Awards. McLenaghen says the additional staff will also be aiding clubs to be “more responsible about progression planning, to ensure the future of each respective club.”

OUSA President Ruby Sycamore-Smith, for whom clubs support is in her top three priorities for the year, says she is “really positive about the redevelopments and what this will do for the students. In terms of the clubs development, being enabled to learn excellent leadership skills and having a beautiful environment to learn in is another great benefit for the students.”