The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE University of the Bahamas North has forged a partnership with the YMCA that would provide its students and faculty access to athletic facilities in Grand Bahama.

At the announcement on Wednesday, UB North President Dr Ian Strachan described the move as “a huge leap forward” in its plans for the reopening of the GB campus.

“As we plan to reopen in the downtown area of Freeport, we see the YMCA as a critical piece of the puzzle,” he said.

Through the partnership, Dr Strachan indicated that they are now able to offer their students access to athletic facilities that surpass those of the Nassau campus.

He noted that Nassau UB students enjoy a fitness centre, basketball and volleyball courts, a pool, and close proximity to the national athletics complex.

In September 2019 after the UB North campus was destroyed by Hurricane Dorian, the institution was relocated to Freeport at the Teachers & Salaried Workers Cooperative Credit Union Building Complex.

Dr Strachan said that while Dorian was a tragedy of unprecedented scale, there have been opportunities to rebuild stronger and more wisely.

UB North lost its campus but gained the opportunity to reimagine itself.

“UB North will bounce back because of partnerships. Today we have come to announce one initiative we think exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and solidarity,” he said.

He said the YMCA is a vital part of the Grand Bahamian community, offering young people wholesome avenues to recreate and build character.

“UB North is committed to the development of the whole student and to encourage healthy lifestyles among all Bahamians. “Unfortunately, the infrastructure that would have allowed us to promote athletics and fitness as we would have wished did not materialise over the course of our history in Grand Bahama,” Dr Strachan explained.

He said UB North is grateful to the YMCA for agreeing to make their facilities available for athletic instruction. Just last term, UB offered swimming to its students for the first time.

“We are excited about the opportunities for our students, staff, and faculty to use the fitness centre at discounted rates. And we look forward to working with the YMCA to main and improve their infrastructure,” Dr Strachan said.

He hopes that in the future UB North will be able to boast of competitive athletics teams that can compete in the local leagues and eventually even compete against other colleges and universities.

Dr Strachan stressed that partnerships with private, public, and non-profit organisations with whom the UB shares common values and goals will be critical in UB North’s effort to rebuild and rebuild bigger and better.

He mentioned partnerships with Bishop Michael Eldon School and with the Charles Hayward Library to ensure continuous matriculation of students, and offer access to higher education to all.

“And now, our partnership with the YMCA deepens even further our bond with local institutions, as we seek pragmatic and common-sense solutions to the problems we face. This partnership is simply common sense,” said Dr Strachan.

Dr Teo Cooper, Dean of Students at UB North, said the partnership will provide recreational spaces for students to enjoy and build community; a space where UB can host student programmes and events; and spaces for student clubs and organisations to meet and socialise.

Additionally, facilities and equipment will promote the physical fitness and wellness of students; as well as provide opportunities for students to volunteer and engage in service-learning projects.

“Today’s partnership is therefore significant for UB North, and particularly for the Division of Student Affairs, in that, we have now regained significant capacity to enhance the co-curricular college experience of our students,” he said.

YMCA Executive Director Karen Pinder Johnson said they are pleased to be a part of such a historic occasion.

She believes the partnership will increase visibility for the YMCA brand.

“It will also allow for cross-promotion of both organisations and network, along with financial support. It will further engage with more young adults, permitting the YMCA to be a part of their development by creating a positive social impact,” she said.

YMCA Board member Joseph Darville is excited about the partnership.

He said that keeping the body in shape is also important to people’s mental and physical well-being.

“I am happy that Dr Strachan became a member of the board of the YMCA. One of our main goals at the YMCA is to make sure that every child in GB knows how to swim. It is a moral obligation we have, and that should be the same thing at UB that we…prepare them for the future,” he said.

Mr Darville said that the majority of deaths related to Dorian were due to drowning.

“If people knew how to swim during Dorian we would have had one-third less of deaths due to drowning, and I am very elated about this partnership,” he stated.