Hundreds of local families, businesses, and donors have pitched in to help Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus reach its $14 million fundraising goal and complete the Don Folk and Family Recreation and Wellness Centre.

For many years, Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus did not have a gym or recreation space for students. There was no place for sports, tournaments, or even indoor graduation ceremonies. The milestone achievement of raising $14 million shows how the community came together to invest in the future of students and campus life.

The campaign was launched with a $5-million gift from the Folk family, inspired by Don and Karen Folk’s belief in the power of sports. The credit for the success of the fundraising campaign belongs to the entire community, as many families, businesses, and donors supported the project over the past three years and helped turn the vision into reality. The new Recreation and Wellness Centre is expected to open this fall and will include a full-size gymnasium, fitness and weight rooms, an indoor walking track, fitness studios, and seating for more than 700 people.

The new centre is designed to promote healthy living, provide opportunities for sports and fitness, and give people a place to meet, connect, and build a stronger community. Okanagan College student and Coyotes baseball player Ryan Powers said the community’s generosity shows that success is achieved by working together, and that the support of teachers, teammates, and donors gives students the confidence to achieve their goals.

Source: Education News Canada