If you thought improvements to the University of Winnipeg’s Duckworth Centre have been completed, you might want to think again.

In its Jan. 14 report, the President’s Task Force on Athletics and Academics introduced a proposal to construct a field house, similar to the University of Manitoba’s Max Bell Centre, on the University of Winnipeg campus. The field house would be known as “the Iceberg,” named for its entirely glass-walled design.

The report contains rough sketches for a 200-metre indoor track and enhanced volleyball and basketball courts within the Iceberg, as well as areas of the building that would allow students to take part in such sports as tennis, lacrosse, fencing, indoor soccer and hockey, to name a few.

Does that mean we might see some Wesmen competing on the rink?

“Hockey and ice sports are very common and popular in Canada. It’s really a Canadian cultural icon, when you consider our passion for ice sports,” said David Fitzpatrick, chair of the task force that drafted the initial plans for the Iceberg.

A campus ice rink “would allow us to bring back what was here many years ago, a Wesmen hockey team,” Fitzpatrick said.

The Iceberg has been met enthusiastically by U of W students.

“ I think if they did have this, it would attract a lot of different people to the U of W. I think it’s been one of the things that’s been missing from the U of W for a long time.

Dan Verville, University of Winnipeg student

“I think if they did have this, it would attract a lot of different people to the U of W. I think it’s been one of the things that’s been missing from the U of W for a long time,” said fourth-year communications major Dan Verville. “A hockey team is definitely a viable option. We definitely have the talent here to put together a team.”

The task force’s report also lists a number of services that could potentially be offered at the Iceberg. Among them is a new sports medicine clinic, additional classrooms, seminar rooms and administrative offices.

The establishment of the Lifespan Research Institute would also be possible, according to Fitzpatrick. This would allow the Kinesiology department, as well as others, to “research some of the determinants of physical activity” and the impact of participation in organized sports on the reduction of gang involvement, unplanned pregnancy and drug use.

Another potential outcome is the growth of the existing athletic therapy centre, which means that a Masters of Athletic Therapy degree could be offered at the U of W in upcoming years, possibly accompanied by a masters program in coaching.

The Iceberg is still looking for funding before it can be confirmed for development.

“We haven’t received firm commitment from our funders about receiving monies to build any sort of facility,” said Fitzpatrick, “We’ve had a number of discussions with potential funders, but nothing has been formalized.”

Published in Volume 63, Number 20 of The Uniter (February 12, 2009)