Ridley set to host grand opening of new athletics and arts facilities

Photo Credit: Ridley College/Facebook

Homecoming weekend has more meaning for Ridley College this year.

Ontario’s oldest private boarding school, opened in 1889, will also host the grand opening of its new athletics and arts facilities.

On Saturday, Ridley will celebrate homecoming with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of Phase 1 of The Campaign for Ridley and the opening of the historic Iggulden Building and Athletic Centre.

This celebration marks the completion of a $51 million fundraising campaign and the largest and most ambitious construction project in Ridley’s 135–year history.

The Iggulden Building has been transformed into an artistic and performance hub fitted with a state-of-the-art Creative Commons, Learning Commons, Music Centre, Performance Hall, and Art Gallery. The Athletic Centre, completed earlier this year, houses a Fitness Centre,

Squash Centre, Yoga Studio, Spin Room, new locker rooms and a new floor in our three-court gymnasium.

These new facilities will create a welcoming and supportive environment for all students, but also the residents of Niagara, and allow for continued support of their mental and physical wellbeing.

“We just celebrated our 135th birthday last week, so it’s an incredible opportunity to welcome hundreds and hundreds of (alumni) back to campus this weekend to see these new and transformed spaces,” said Assistant Head of School Jay Tredway.

“The entire athletic centre will now be known as the Evans Athletic Centre.”

The athletic centre will now feature a seating capacity of 1,000.

“It’s very special, and we can’t wait for our alumni to come back this weekend, and for more and more of the Niagara community to come through over time,” Tredway said.

Ridley’s enrolment features students from 63 different countries and 11 of Canada’s provinces, and will host OFSAA Field Hockey, the National Independent School Senior Boys Basketball Championships, North Pole Hoops, NPA Prep Boys Basketball, Prep Girls hockey in the OWHA U22 Elite, and its new Squash Centre will host provincial and national events, in the coming weeks and months.

The renovated Fieldhouse and new Sports Complex includes:

A three-court hardwood floor gymnasium
A Squash Complex with competition-grade squash courts
A yoga and fitness studio
A Fitness Commons
A purpose-built Fitness Centre
A renovated rowing training room
Six athletic team change rooms

Saturday’s schedule looks like this:

Alumni Rowing

Events kick off at 9:00a.m. with Alumni Rowing at Henley Island.

Brunch & BBQ

Brunch will be served in the Great Hall from 11:00a.m to 1:30p.m. The Ridley College Family Guild will also host a BBQ outside of the cricket shed from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.with proceeds supporting Ridley’s Scholarship and Bursary Programme.

Athletic Lives of Distinction

Our Athletic Lives of Distinction ceremony will take place in the new Athletic Centre at 11:30a.m.

Event Tent

Between A and B-Squad, our event tent will be open from 12:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. with beer, wine and cider for purchase.

Grand Opening

The Grand Opening of the newly refurbished Iggulden Building and the re-opening of the renovated Athletic Centre will take place at 1:00p.m. in the outdoor area between the two buildings. This marks a new chapter in Ridley’s history, and we look forward to celebrating as a community. Tours of the new spaces will follow.

Class Photos

Years Photo Timeslot
’54, ’59, ’64 and ’69 2:00-2:30p.m.
’74 and ’79 2:30-2:45p.m.
’84 and ’89 2:45-3:00p.m.
’94 and ’99 3:00-3:15p.m.
’04 and ’09 3:15-3:30p.m.
’14 and ’19 3:30-3:45p.m.

The Legacy Gala and Class Dinners

The Legacy Gala (sold out) and Class Dinners will follow in the evening.

For more information visit ridleycollege.com