DURHAM -- The campus of Durham College and UOIT will soon endure another makeover. But unlike in years past, it has nothing to due with oodles of construction. Instead the campus will be transformed into an Olympic Village of sorts as the 2008 Special Olympics Spring Games grace the region at the end of the month.
The campuses residence buildings will serve as the lodging for the some 721 athletes, 165 coaches and 12 team managers that will be in town as part of the event, which is a massive task in itself.
However DC/UOIT's involvement doesn't end there. Not even close.
The Campus Athletic Centre (CAC) will serve as the location for both the opening and closing ceremonies. The opening is scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 29 and will come at the conclusion of the torch run which begins at the Oshawa Centre earlier in the day.
In addition, the 180 basketball athletes slated to compete will call the campus hard court home during action on both Friday and Saturday, while powerlifting will be held in the new Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, which is attached to the CAC. It's expected that 26 athletes will be taking part in the powerlifting event.
As important a piece to the puzzle as the college and university will be, the additional venues to be used for the event are spread throughout Oshawa and into Pickering.
The first event to take place will be 201 swimmers hitting the pool on the morning of May 30th at the Pickering Recreation Complex (1867 Valley Farm Road). That facility will serve as the swimming location both days.
Shifting gears from one type of lane to another where NEB's Funworld (1300 Wilson Rd. N.) prepares to host 250 athletes in the five-pin bowling competition. At the other end of Oshawa, Leisure Bowling Lanes will hold the 10-pin bowling event, featuring 64 athletes.
All the medal presentations will take place at the event sites, with the exception of the five-pin bowling, which will move back up to the campus of DC and UOIT for their presentations.