Chase, a recognizable face for the faculty and Recreation Services members will be missed by her colleagues, but especially by the staff and members at the Bannatyne campus fitness facility.

Tanya Angus, director of Recreation Programs, says that Chase is someone who was a strong advocate for the JDRC and will be missed by the community.

“Kerri has significantly impacted the JDRC by bringing her energy, passion, support and encouragement to Joe Doupe,” Angus explains. “The student staff look up to Kerri as a mentor/motherly supportive figure and members appreciate that she’s reliable, willing to be there to open the doors daily to teach fitness classes.”

Chase has been working in the health and wellness industry for almost 35 years. She started at the YMCA and then went on to work as the employee health and wellness coordinator at the Canadian Wheat Board before starting her time with the University of Manitoba.

Chase was hired at Joe Doupe on a term position as a program coordinator and was quickly offered a permanent position. After some structural and organizational changes to the facility, she became the supervisor, and has been balancing the many responsibilities that this role requires ever since.

“We’re just so much smaller and that’s part of the fun,” she explains. “I wear so many hats. You’re running a business, but I jump in and teach classes and we do intramurals . . . I’ve loved it because I get to do a little bit of everything.”

Chase says that Joe Doupe’s small size made it appealing to her, as she enjoyed getting to know the community that frequented the facilities and classes.

Located at the Bannatyne campus, Chase explains that JDRC benefits from the positive attitudes and work ethics of the surrounding community, which consists primarily of healthcare workers and students.

“We have HSC and Cancer care and diagnostic services all around. The people are very people-oriented and they’re healthcare workers, for the most part, or aspiring to be, so it’s a neat dynamic,” she explains.

“We get to know them by name and we get to know what’s happening in their lives and I’d say that’s the biggest plus.”

Despite the fact that she loves her job and the community, Chase says it was time to make a change. Transitioning into retirement right after a pandemic feels strange, she admits, but the past few years have given her time to reflect on the importance of devoting time to spend with family. She adds that her husband had heart surgery right at the beginning of the pandemic, which “was kind of a wakeup call.”

“I just became a grandmother and my grand-baby lives out in Calgary so I need a bit more freedom to go visit family,” she explains.

Chase envisions some travel, lake time, and lots of time with family. She says the only thing she’s worried about is keeping busy, after working in such a high energy position for so many years.

“It was a very cool job and it’s been a wonderful for me and a fabulous way to end my career,” she says.

Kerri’s last day is June 30, so make sure to go say goodbye and wish her good luck before then!

January 7-11 marks Recreation Services’ Free Week. Get a head start on your health and fitness by sampling over 50 of their most popular instructional classes, and by using the fitness and recreation facilities the entire work/school week for free. This includes the Active Living Centre (which houses the Joyce Fromson Pool) and the Joe Doupe Recreation Centre at Bannatyne Campus.

• Fort Garry campus schedule
• Bannatyne campus schedule

You have questions. We have answers:

Q. How can I access the sport and recreation facilities like the pool or the Active Living Centre?
A. To access the fitness and recreation facilities for Free Week, simply visit us at one of our two customer service desks, bring your photo I.D. and pre-registration isn’t required.

Q. How can I take one of your instructional programs like Karate, Yoga or Ballroom Dance at your Fort Garry campus location?
A. We recommend that you arrive an hour prior to the start of the program you’re wanting to take and visit our Free Week table to obtain a program ticket. Once all tickets for a particular class have been given out, no additional space will be offered. Programs that require tickets to take are identified on our schedule above. Please note that program tickets will not be issued more than an hour to the start of the class.

Q. How can I take one of your group fitness classes?
A. We recommend that you arrive at least 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the group fitness class you are wanting to take to ensure a spot in that class. Tickets aren’t required to take a group fitness class, however it’s up to the instructor to determine when the class is full.

Q. I’m not a student or staff member at the University of Manitoba. Can I still attend Free Week?
A. Free Week is open to the general public and we strongly encourage all members of the community to visit us and to take advantage of the many different active living opportunities we have available. 

Brett Stovin, captain of the University of Manitoba Bison Men’s hockey squad, sports a few different “jerseys” at the University of Manitoba.

Aside from also being a Recreation Management and Community Development major in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, he’s a part of the Recreation Services team as the Ice Hockey Intramural Sports supervisor. This position provides him with valuable business administration experience and also a sense of satisfaction when hearing feedback from participants.

“I enjoy hearing how stress-relieved people feel once they’ve participated in our programs, or have used our facilities through Rec Services,” he says.

Interested in playing intramural sports? Check out the vast selection offered during the winter term, and sign your team up. Basketball, hockey, soccer, dodgeball are just some of the sports available. Registration starts Jan. 7-23.

If intramural sports isn’t your speed, we also have REC Clubs available during the winter term for those looking for a more casual sport experience.

Winter break hours of operation are as follows:

• Sat, Dec. 22: Regular hours
• Sun, Dec. 23: Regular hours
• Mon, Dec. 24: Closed
• Tue, Dec. 25: Closed
• Wed, Dec. 26: 11 am to 7 pm
• Thu, Dec. 27: 11 am to 7 pm
• Fri, Dec. 28: 11 am to 7 pm
• Sat, Dec. 29: 11 am to 7 pm
• Sun, Dec. 30: 11 am to 7 pm
• Mon, Dec. 31: 11 am to 4 pm
• Tue, Jan. 1: Closed
• Wed, Jan. 2: 11 am to 7 pm
• Thu, Jan. 3 (university re-opens): Regular hours

We’ll also have open times for our Active Living Centre climbing wall. This is a great option for families and kids looking for something different to do:

• Fri, Dec. 21: 7 to 10 pm
• Sun, Dec. 23: 1 to 8 pm                  
• Thu, Dec. 27: 2 to 7 pm             
• Fri, Dec. 28: 2 to 7 pm             
• Sun, Dec. 30:  1 to 7 pm           
• Thu, Jan. 3: 5 to 10 pm              

Parking is free in the ALC lot over the holiday break.

There are countless benefits to regular exercise. It can improve your mood, boost your energy, help you sleep better, and even combat health conditions and diseases. Though, at times it can be difficult to find and stick to an exercise routine. If you’re routine is currently stuck in a rut, it could be time to try something new, like an adult instructional fitness, wellness, or recreation program.

Programs take the guesswork out of exercise and offer a routine you can stick with.

By registering for one of our programs, you’ll be provided with an exciting new workout experience in a welcoming environment. All instructors are experts in their field and will provide a professional, engaging and enjoyable learning experience.

Programs also provide a great opportunity to meet and interact with new people. Relationships are fostered when you chat before the program starts; laugh or cheer during the workout; or high-five after the program’s done. Developing a sense of community with your fellow participants is a great motivator to keep you coming back week-after-week.

Why not give it a try? Our 2019 winter program schedule includes classes in Adult Aquatics, Aging Actively, Climbing, Dance, Group Training, Health Promotion, Martial Arts, Recreation, and Wellness.

Visit uofmactiveliving.ca or view our 2019 Winter Activity Guide to learn more.

Registration starts Nov. 8. All Recreation Services members and U of M students, receive 20% off most programs.

Take advantage of our personal training week promotion from Oct. 1-5.

Purchase any personal training package or assessment service during the week and receive 15% off the advertised price! We’ll also be hosting a variety of free events throughout the week, including discussions on diet and nutrition, free one-on-one talks with our certified trainers, fitness assessment demos, and more.

Personal training helps improve the quality of your workouts and improves your fitness results compared to self-directed exercise.

The benefits of personal training include:

• Accountability
• Efficiency
• Personalization
• Safety
• Variety
• Routine
• Results!

Invest in your health and start your journey to a better, healthier you!

For more information on our personal training and assessment programs, please call 204-474-7976 (Fort Garry campus), 204-789-3858 (Bannatyne campus) or visit our website. 

This year’s holiday break hours are as follows:

2017/18 Christmas-New Year’s Break
December 22 & 23: 11:00 am-7:00 pm
December 24: 11:00 am-4:00 pm
December 25 & 26: Closed
December 27-30: 11:00 am-7:00 pm
December 31: 11:00 am-4:00 pm
January 1: Closed

Januray 2:  Regular hours resume (Click here for regular hours for all of our facilities).

The hours apply to the following Sport and Recreation Facilities: Active Living Centre, Frank Kennedy Centre, Joyce Fromson Pool, and Joe Doupe Recreation Centre (Bannatyne Campus).

For more information on Sport and Recreation Facilities, please click here to visit the website.

A New Year, a New You!
Recreation Services has two great ways for you reach your New Year’s health and fitness goals!

Take advantage of the world-class sport and recreation facilities with a Recreation Services’ membership! With over 1-million square feet of buildings and spaces dedicated to fitness, sport and leisure, they have everything you need to help your reach your health and fitness goals! Discount rates are available for U of M staff and Alumni. General public rates are available as well.

For more information >> Click here.

Recreation Services adult programs are a great way to learn and be active! Their 2018 winter program schedule includes classes in Adult Aquatics, Aging Actively, Climbing, Dance, Group Fitness PLUS, Health Promotion, Martial Arts, Recreation and Wellness. Recreation Services members, including all U of M students who have activated their memberships, receive up to 20% off most instructional and group fitness PLUS programs! You can register for a program in person at the Active Living Centre or Joe Doupe Recreation Centre.

Online registration is also available >> Click here.

Registration for our Winter 2018 program season is now open and includes classes in Adult Aquatics, Aging Actively, Climbing, Dance, Group Fitness PLUS, Health Promotion, Martial Arts, Recreation and Wellness.

Recreation Services members, including all U of M students who have activated their memberships, receive up to 20 per cent off most of our winter program prices.

To register for a program, visit us in person at the Active Living Centre (Fort Garry campus) or Joe Doupe Recreation Centre (Bannatyne campus). You can also register online at uofmactiveliving.com. Registration will remain open until Jan. 31, 2018.